Isaac Samuel
Member representing Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, has resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He cited deepening internal crisis, leadership uncertainty, and what he described as deliberate efforts to undermine his political ambition.
His resignation comes barely 24 hours after the Supreme Court restored the David Mark-led leadership of the party.
Abejide, who did not disclose his next political platform, said his decision followed months of legal battles and internal wrangling within the party.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the lawmaker described his exit as painful but inevitable.
“It is a painful decision but necessary to save my political future from those who came to destroy my former political party that I laboured hard to nurture and love dearly,” he said.
He traced the origin of the crisis to a suit he filed in August 2025 against key party figures, including former Senate President David Mark, ex-Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, Chief Ralph Nwosu, and the party itself.
According to him, the case was granted accelerated hearing by the court due to the proximity of electoral activities, but was allegedly stalled by the defendants through tactics aimed at delaying proceedings.
“They kept introducing new parties into the suit to frustrate its timely determination, even as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rolled out the timetable for the 2027 general elections,” he said.
The prolonged delays, he added, led his legal team to advise him to seek an alternative platform to pursue his ambition.
Abejide cited what he described as a leadership vacuum within the ADC, warning that the absence of duly recognised national officers could jeopardise his eligibility to contest.
“My counsel advised that since ADC is effectively leaderless, with no validly elected National Chairman and National Secretary to sign nomination forms as required by law, I should consider another platform,” he stated.
The lawmaker accused elements within the party of orchestrating a “hijack” of its structure, alleging that the intention was to sideline long-standing members like himself.
He maintained that he had been a consistent member of the party since 2019, contributing significantly to its growth and national visibility.
“I joined ADC and helped build it to national recognition, with representation in both the National and State Assemblies. Unfortunately, what we built has now been hijacked,” he said.
Abejide disclosed that he consulted widely with political allies and constituents before taking the decision, adding that his next move would align with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also dismissed reports that he was expelled from the party, insisting that his exit was voluntary and in line with constitutional provisions.
“On April 14, 2026, I was purportedly announced as expelled. That is not correct. I have voluntarily exited the party through constitutional means,” he said.
The lawmaker assured his constituents that his political structure remained intact and that he would continue to pursue the delivery of democratic dividends under a more stable platform.
He also addressed a viral video involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, clarifying that remarks attributed to him were made in a light-hearted context and misinterpreted.
According to Abejide, Gbajabiamila had merely advised him, in a jocular manner, to remain in the party and defend his mandate, dismissing suggestions that the comments signalled any attempt to undermine democracy.
He, however, accused those he described as “party hijackers” of undermining internal democratic processes through arbitrary actions, including alleged unlawful expulsions.
