A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Nafiu Bala on Friday dismissed the expulsion of Yagba Federal Constituency lawmaker, Leke Abejide, describing the action as illegal and driven by a coalition of “self-appointed” actors seeking to seize control of the party ahead of its national convention.
The rebuttal came a day after the National Working Committee (NWC) loyal to the camp of Senator David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ratified Abejide’s expulsion over alleged acts of indiscipline, following earlier sanctions imposed by the Kogi State chapter.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the factional Director of Media and Public Affairs, Dr Christopher Okechukwu, said the expulsion was an “illegitimate and desperate attempt” by individuals whose actions contradict the ADC’s values. He accused the opposing camp of attempting to marginalise loyal members and hijack party structures for personal gain.
“We strongly condemn the attempts by unregistered, self-appointed members of the NWC to interfere in party affairs and remove an elected ADC representative in the 10th National Assembly,” Okechukwu said. He added that Abejide’s alleged offence was his support for the existing leadership and ongoing litigation challenging INEC’s recognition of Mark’s group.
He insisted that the rival NWC “lacks the locus standi to punish a bona fide member,” vowing that the Bala-led camp would resist any attempt to seize the party’s organs ahead of fresh congresses.
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On Thursday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi had announced the NWC’s ratification of Abejide’s expulsion and called on House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to declare his seat vacant.
But reacting through his media aide, Bashiru Mohammed, Abejide dismissed the move as malicious, arguing that the petitioners themselves had been expelled and therefore had no legal authority within the party.
The ADC remains locked in a deepening leadership crisis marked by parallel factions, conflicting claims of legitimacy and contradictory disciplinary actions — a situation that threatens the party’s cohesion as both camps push ahead with rival activities ahead of the party’s forthcoming congresses.