2027: Abejide Abandons ADC, Citing Party Takeover and Lack of Clear Legal Standing

Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Leke Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency, has made a formal announcement regarding his departure from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing the party's internal crisis, alleged takeover of its structure, and prolonged legal battles that pose a threat to his political future in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.

n

Abejide described his decision to leave the party as a "painful but necessary" step, blaming certain unnamed political actors for destabilizing the party, which he claimed to have helped build into a nationally relevant force, during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday.

n

In August 2025, Abejide had filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court against key figures in the ADC, including former Senate President David Mark, ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and former party chairman Ralph Nwosu, over issues related to leadership irregularities.

n

Despite securing an expedited hearing, the case was delayed multiple times, allegedly due to the defendants' legal maneuvers, and ultimately coincided with the release of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable for the 2027 elections.

n

The uncertainty surrounding the party's leadership structure, particularly the lack of recognized national officers to endorse nomination forms, prompted Abejide to seek an alternative political platform.

n

Abejide's counsel advised him that, given the ADC's lack of a validly elected National Chairman and National Secretary to sign his nomination form as required by law, he should explore alternative platforms to pursue his political ambitions.

n

He further alleged that the ADC had been "unlawfully hijacked" by politicians who had been expelled from other parties, and that their actions undermined the vision he and others had for the party.

n

Abejide, who has contested elections on the ADC platform since 2019, maintained that his contributions were crucial to the party's growth, including financing its structures and expanding its national presence.

n

He also dismissed claims that he was expelled from the party, insisting that he had voluntarily withdrawn his membership in accordance with the party's constitutional provisions.

n

Abejide stated that he was "purportedly proclaimed as being expelled" on April 14, 2026, but clarified that he had willingly and voluntarily exited the party and terminated his membership.

n

He aligned his next political steps with the "Renewed Hope Agenda" of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, signaling a shift towards the ruling political bloc.

n

Abejide addressed a viral video involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, noting that comments attributed to him were made in a lighthearted context and had been misinterpreted.

n

He said that suggestions that his comments were a judicial intervention or an attempt to undermine democracy were "a height of absurdity," and that the statement was made in a jovial manner and quoted out of context.

n

While expressing gratitude to his supporters in Kogi State and beyond, Abejide reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing his political ambitions on a "more stable and structured platform" capable of delivering democratic dividends to his constituents.

n

The development adds to the growing internal disputes within the ADC, raising fresh concerns about the party's cohesion as political alignments intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.