By Nathaniel Irobi
Abuja – The Nafiu Bala-led faction of the African Democratic Congress on Friday disowned the expulsion of Yagba Federal Constituency lawmaker, Leke Abejide, warning that a coalition of “self-appointed” party actors was attempting to hijack the ADC’s structures ahead of its planned national convention.
The statement came barely 24 hours after the National Working Committee loyal to the camp of Senator David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ratified Abejide’s expulsion.
His expulsion followed weeks of hostilities, parallel meetings and rival claims to legitimacy within the party.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the ADC’s factional Director of Media and Public Affairs, Dr Christopher Okechukwu, described the move to remove the two-term federal lawmaker as an “illegitimate and desperate attempt” by individuals whose actions were “inconsistent with the party’s values and principles.”
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Okechukwu said the group’s conduct showed that members were “not genuinely committed to the party’s growth and development,” adding that their interference amounted to a “clear attempt to marginalise loyal party members and seize control for personal gain.”
He said, “We strongly condemn the attempts by unregistered, self-appointed members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to illegitimately interfere in party affairs and remove an elected ADC representative in the 10th National Assembly.
“Specifically, we reject the expulsion of Hon. Leke Abejide as illegitimate and unacceptable. Abejide’s so-called offence was his steadfast support for the existing party leadership structure and his commitment to the ongoing court litigation opposing the illegal recognition of David Mark’s leadership by INEC.”
Okechukwu insisted that the Atiku- and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai-backed NWC “lacks the locus standi to punish a bona fide member,” vowing to resist any attempt to hijack the party’s institutions ahead of fresh congresses.
“We remain resolute in opposing these actions and reaffirm our dedication to upholding the integrity and democratic processes of the ADC,” he added.
On Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, announced that the NWC had ratified Abejide’s expulsion over alleged “serial acts of indiscipline,” endorsing earlier sanctions imposed by the Kogi chapter.
The party leadership also urged the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, to declare Abejide’s seat at the National Assembly vacant.
Abejide, however, fired back through his media aide, Bashiru Mohammed, describing the attempt to unseat him as a malicious move led by individuals who “no longer have legal standing in the ADC.”
He also argued that the petitioners themselves had been expelled from the party.
The ADC crisis — now characterised by opposing factions, conflicting claims of legitimacy and contradictory disciplinary actions — continues to cast uncertainty over the party’s cohesion as both camps press ahead with parallel activities in the lead-up to the upcoming congresses.