Leke Abejide, the House of Representatives member for Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, said on Thursday's Politics Today programme that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is being taken over without due process. He singled out former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as the leading figures behind the alleged "hijacking." Abejide insisted that the faction's emergence ignored the party's established procedures and that existing members were neither consulted nor involved.
The lawmaker also clarified that he has never met senior politicians such as Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi or Peter Obi, who are sometimes linked to the coalition. Rejecting suggestions that he was being sidelined for political reasons, he emphasized the need to adhere strictly to the ADC constitution. According to Abejide, the individuals now claiming leadership were not registered ADC members in their wards when they assumed office, making their takeover invalid.
He outlined the correct route: admit new members, notify INEC, give a 21‑day notice for a national convention and amend the constitution before any leadership change. Instead, he claimed, the current group seized control instantly, bypassing those steps. The ADC has been mired in internal disputes, with rival factions and court cases contesting who legitimately heads the party.
The most striking element of the episode is the involvement of David Mark, a former Senate President, in an alleged power grab of a minor party. His participation suggests that senior politicians are willing to repurpose smaller platforms to sustain relevance after exiting the national spotlight.
The accusation surfaces amid a broader crisis within the ADC, where competing blocs have claimed legitimacy and legal battles have stalled any resolution. By ignoring the party's constitution—specifically the requirement that leaders be registered members in their wards—the accused faction has set a precedent that procedural rules can be overridden for expediency.
For ordinary Nigerians, especially those who view the ADC as an alternative to the dominant parties, this turmoil erodes confidence in the party's ability to field credible candidates. Voters in regions where the ADC has a foothold may find their choices narrowed, potentially reinforcing the two‑party dominance.
The incident mirrors a growing pattern of veteran politicians commandeering fledgling parties to create new political vehicles, often sidestepping internal democracy. If unchecked, such maneuvers could further dilute Nigeria's already fragmented opposition landscape.
