ADC faction crisis escalates as Nafiu Bala’s camp rejects Leke Abejide’s expulsion, accusing rivals of hijacking party structures.
The Nafiu Bala-led faction of the African Democratic Congress on Friday dismissed the expulsion of Yagba Federal Constituency lawmaker Leke Abejide, describing the move as part of a widening ADC faction crisis driven by self-appointed actors seeking to seize control ahead of the party’s national convention.
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The rebuttal came a day after the National Working Committee loyal to the camps of Senator David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ratified Abejide’s expulsion, following weeks of escalating hostility and parallel meetings within the party.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja, the factional Director of Media and Public Affairs, Dr Christopher Okechukwu, condemned the disciplinary action as an illegitimate and desperate attempt to undermine loyal members.
He said the conduct of the rival bloc reflected a lack of genuine commitment to the party’s growth, accusing them of working to marginalise longstanding stakeholders for personal gain.
Okechukwu maintained that the expulsion was unacceptable, insisting that Abejide’s only offence was his support for the existing leadership and his involvement in ongoing litigation challenging INEC’s recognition of David Mark’s leadership.
He argued that the opposing NWC, allegedly backed by Atiku and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, lacked the authority to sanction a bona fide member.
The faction vowed to resist any attempt to hijack party institutions ahead of fresh congresses, reiterating its commitment to the ADC’s democratic processes.
On Thursday, National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi had announced that the NWC ratified the Kogi chapter’s earlier sanctions against Abejide for alleged serial acts of indiscipline, also urging Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to declare his parliamentary seat vacant.
Abejide responded through his media aide, Bashiru Mohammed, describing the push to remove him as a malicious manoeuvre by individuals who “no longer have legal standing” in the party.
He said those behind the petition had themselves been expelled.
The ADC remains engulfed in a fierce internal struggle marked by duelling factions, disputed authority and contradictory disciplinary measures.
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With both camps pressing ahead with parallel activities, the party’s cohesion faces mounting uncertainty ahead of its upcoming congresses.
