By Samson Adeyanju
Fresh political storm is brewing in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as its most senior elected official, Hon. Leke Abejide, has declared an all-out war against what he calls a “forceful takeover” of the party by a coalition of political actors he describes as “marauders.”
In a fiery statement delivered in Abuja, the House of Representatives member from Kogi State (Yagba Federal Constituency) challenged the legitimacy of the newly inaugurated National Working Committee (NWC), led by former Senate President David Mark, likening the takeover to a hostile invasion and drawing a clear line between the “original ADC” and the coalition-backed faction.
“I am an original member of the ADC, not part of any so-called coalition ADC,” Abejide said. “We shall join hands to chase out political marauders from PDP, LP, and struggling elements of the APC who have come to hijack our party. Their plan is dead on arrival.”
In a move that evokes the combative and unyielding style of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Abejide warned that the party’s core structure was being threatened by opportunists who contributed nothing to its growth.
He vowed to challenge what he called the “illegality” of the coalition-backed NEC in court.
“As the highest-ranking member of the ADC’s National Executive Committee, I will not fold my arms. I will approach the courts to challenge the unconstitutional formation of this kangaroo leadership,” he said.
The ADC’s internal wrangling reached new heights after Nafiu Bala, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, declared himself acting national chairman and inaugurated a new leadership team on Tuesday.
The coalition claims to have the blessings of prominent political figures, including David Mark, to lead the ADC into a new era. But Abejide and other legacy members are not buying it.
“When we were nursing and sustaining this party, where were they?” he asked. “They destroyed their own parties; PDP, Labour Party and now want to destroy ours too? We will not allow that.”
Abejide accused the coalition team of entering “through the window,” bypassing due process and imposing themselves on party structures at both national and state levels.
“They want to use our platform for personal ambitions, not to build democracy. That is why they didn’t include a single original ADC member in their over 50 recent appointments. It’s not unity; it’s a hijack,” he said.
The tension is especially intense in Kogi State, where Abejide has moved to disband the coalition-backed faction entirely.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting in Lokoja, he reaffirmed the rejection of the coalition NEC by the original ADC leadership in the state.
“Our ADC in Kogi is intact. Those calling themselves ADC leaders here are impostors,” he declared.
He also announced plans for a realignment of the original ADC with other like-minded parties to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, a move that further widens the ideological chasm within the ADC.
Meanwhile, Nafiu Bala, who declared himself acting national chairman, has denied ever resigning his position as Deputy National Chairman.
He said a letter purported to be his resignation was forged and circulated by “mischievous elements.”
“I never resigned. The fake letter is not even on official ADC letterhead,” Bala said in a statement. “Those now posing as our party’s new leaders don’t meet the constitutional requirements. It’s all a charade.”
He urged party members and the public to reject what he called “deceitful politics” and pledged to preserve the ADC’s founding ideals.
Amid the political intrigue, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has refuted rumours linking him to the ADC coalition.
In a statement from his media aide, Adeleke reaffirmed his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and denied any alliance with the ADC.
“There is no truth in those speculations,” the statement read. “Governor Adeleke remains a PDP man and will contest the 2026 election under the PDP.”
What began as a handshake between like-minded political figures has escalated into a high-stakes power struggle threatening to tear the ADC apart. With court cases looming, factional declarations multiplying, and foundational members like Abejide taking a Wike-style hardline stance, the party finds itself at a decisive crossroads.
As one analyst put it, “The ADC is not just facing a crisis of leadership, it’s facing a crisis of identity.” And in the eye of that storm stands Hon. Leke Abejide, the ADC’s own Wike: unyielding, loud, and ready for a fight.
