Leke Abejide, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, has accused some prominent political figures of “Hijacking” the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the party’s primaries
Abejide, who spoke on Thursday on Channels Television criticised the emergence of a faction of the party led by former Senate President, David Mark.
Abejide also faulted the process through which the Mark leadership emerged, arguing that due consultation with existing party members was ignored.
When asked to clarify the identities of the “hijackers,” he said, “Former Senate President David Mark, former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, and the rest.”
The lawmaker, however, dismissed suggestions that he was sidelined because he was perceived as a “Sellout.”
According to him, “I am not a sellout. It is not because they didn’t consult me; let us do things according to the law. This party cannot be destroyed.”
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Citing the ADC constitution, Abejide argued that the appointments of Mark and others violated established rules.
He maintained that those who assumed leadership positions had not fulfilled these requirements at the time.
The lawmaker also alleged that longstanding party members were neither informed nor consulted in the leadership transition.
“If you want to come to a party, and it is not a fresh one, you should know that some people will be there. Why don’t you meet with them first and discuss?
Asked whether he had ever held meetings with key figures reportedly involved in the coalition, including Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Peter Obi, Abejide responded, “No, I have never met with them. None of them has ever met me.”
“As at the time they sat on their seats, they had not registered in their wards. They were not members of the ADC at the time they took over.
“What they ought to have done is to allow them to come in, then write to INEC, give 21 days’ notice for a national convention, and amend the constitution properly.
“By then, nobody can go to court. But that was not the case; they immediately took over that day as if the election were tomorrow,” he stated.
