Abejide dumps ADC, alleges hijack

A member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, on Friday announced his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Abejide, a longstanding member of the party, cited what he described as “internal crisis, leadership vacuum and prolonged legal battles” that threatened his political future. In a statement issued on his political realignment, Abejide said […]

A member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, on Friday announced his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Abejide, a longstanding member of the party, cited what he described as “internal crisis, leadership vacuum and prolonged legal battles” that threatened his political future.

In a statement issued on his political realignment, Abejide said his decision, though “painful,” became necessary after months of uncertainty within the party.

“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.

The lawmaker disclosed that he had, in August 2025, dragged some leaders of the ADC coalition, including Senator David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu, to court over internal disputes.

According to him, despite securing accelerated hearing, the case suffered repeated delays allegedly caused by the defendants.

“However, the defendants… kept sending different people to join my case as a way to delay the matter… up to the time the Independent National Electoral Commission rolled out timetable for political activities,” he said.

He added that the delays forced his legal team to advise him to consider an alternative political platform ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Due to long adjournment… my counsel then advised me I should be looking for an alternative party to pursue my political ambition,” Abejide said.

The lawmaker further alleged that the ADC had become “leaderless,” noting that the absence of validly recognised national officers could invalidate his candidacy.

“My counsel further advised me that since ADC is leaderless… I should seek for an alternative platform to pursue my political ambition,” he added.

Abejide accused unnamed politicians of hijacking the party, claiming they were “chased out of political parties they could not manage, yet wanted to rule a macro ecosystem like Nigeria.”

He said the crisis necessitated his court action to protect his constitutional right to association.

“I joined ADC, nurtured it to a national recognition… The party structures were funded by me as then National Leader of the Party,” he said.