Lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide
The Nafiu Bala-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the expulsion of the lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, by the party’s leadership.
The group alleged that a coalition of “self-appointed” party actors were on the verge of hijacking the ADC’s structures ahead of its planned national convention.
Bala has refused to recognise the David Mark-led national leadership of the ADC, insisting that he is the authentic chairman of the party.
His faction spoke barely 24 hours after the ADC National Working Committee ratified Abejide’s expulsion.
In a statement, the ADC factional Director of Media and Public Affairs, Christopher Okechukwu, described the move to expel the two-term federal lawmaker as an “illegitimate and desperate attempt” by individuals whose actions were “inconsistent with the party’s values and principles.”
“The group actions show they are not genuinely committed to the party’s growth and development.”
He said,“We strongly condemn the attempts by unregistered, self-appointed members of the National Working Committee to illegitimately interfere in party affairs and remove an elected ADC representative to the 10th National Assembly.
“Specifically, we reject the expulsion of Hon Leke Abejide as illegitimate and unacceptable. Abejide’s offence was his steadfast support for the existing party leadership structure and his commitment to the ongoing court litigation opposing the illegal recognition of David Mark’s leadership by INEC.”
Okechukwu insisted that the Atiku and former Kaduna Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s NWC “lacks the locus standi to punish a bona fide member,” vowing to resist any attempt to hijack the party’s institutions ahead of congresses.
“We remain resolute in opposing these actions and reaffirm our dedication to upholding the integrity and democratic processes of the ADC,” he added.
The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, announced on Thursday that the NWC ratified Abejide’s expulsion over alleged “serial acts of indiscipline,” endorsing earlier sanctions by the Kogi chapter.
The party leadership also urged the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, to declare Abejide’s seat at the National Assembly vacant.
Reacting, Abejide fired back through his media aide, Bashiru Mohammed, describing the attempt to unseat him as a malicious move led by individuals who “no longer have legal standing in the ADC.”
He also argued that the petitioners themselves had been expelled from the party’s structures.
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