Abejide quits ADC despite Gbajabiamila’s advice, cites party crisis and alleged hijack

Leke Abejide, the lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, has resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing internal disputes and concerns over the party’s direction.

Abejide announced his resignation at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, ending his long-standing association with the party under which he secured two terms in the House of Representatives.

His decision comes days after Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, publicly urged him to remain in the ADC and resist pressure to leave. Speaking earlier in Abuja, Gbajabiamila had advised Abejide to stay in the party, retain control of its structure and challenge rival factions.

“I know you to be a committed party man… stay in that same ADC, fight them, scatter them,” Gbajabiamila said, while also encouraging him to work with Nafiu Bala Gombe in the ongoing leadership dispute.

Despite the advice, Abejide said his resignation followed months of crisis within the ADC, which he alleged had been taken over by an opposition coalition led by former Senate President David Mark.

“I joined ADC, nurtured it to national recognition… The party structure was funded by me as the then national leader,” Abejide said, adding that he had handed over to Gombe, whom he recognised as the party’s national chairman.

The lawmaker described his exit as necessary to protect his political future, stating that his lawyers advised him to leave amid the ongoing dispute.

“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,” he said.

His resignation follows a ruling by the Supreme Court, after which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reinstated the leadership aligned with Mark, deepening divisions within the party.

Abejide accused the rival faction of bypassing internal processes and attempting to seize control of the ADC, an issue he had previously challenged in court.

He did not disclose his next political affiliation but said an announcement would be made soon.

“You will know any moment from now where I am heading to,” he said.