More crisis in Kogi as a faction of the African Democratic Congress on Saturday held a stakeholders’ meeting to elect some new state executive members to run the affairs of the party.
The stakeholders’ meeting was led by its factional leader, Leke Joseph Abejide, member representing Yagba Federal Constituency and a member of the ADC National Executive Committee, in an expanded stakeholders’ meeting.
The other ADC faction championed at the national level by Senator David Mark has Senator Tunde Ogbeha and Senator Dino Melaye as the state party leaders while Kingsley Ogah is the state party chairman.
The Saturday meeting, which drew party leaders from all nine federal constituencies in the state, was said to be convened to fill vacant positions created by deaths, voluntary resignations, and the abandonment of duties by some former officials.
Dignitaries present included Pastor Joseph Asalu, chairman of the Stakeholders Association; Pastor Samuel Babatunde; Chiefs Richard Asaje, Henry Omotosho Oluseyi, and Kayode Timothy; Hon. Aderonke Aro, former member of the Kogi State House of Assembly; and women leaders B.O. Araiyedupin and Chief Mrs. Ebun Joy. Their presence, along with that of numerous ward and local government representatives, underscored the significance of the meeting for the future of the ADC in Kogi State.
In a series of goodwill messages that resonated throughout the hall, stakeholders from the nine federal constituencies reaffirmed the expulsion of Kingsley Ogah, describing him as a self-acclaimed leader of an illegal coalition working against the interests of the party. Speakers such as Otunba Duro Aseremaseka from Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu, Pastor Joseph Asalu of Yagba, Hon. Bakabe Farouk of Lokoja/Koto, Hon. Joshua Adejo of Igalamela/Odolu/Ofu, Hon. Yunusa Tair of Ankpa, Mallam Hussein Saha Adam of Okehi, Hon. Farouq of Ajaokuta, Hon. Sunday Oseje of Dekina/Bassa, and Hon. Balogun James of Okene/Ogori-Magongo, all lent their voices to the affirmation.
Representing Dr. Omede Idris, Dr. Aku also conveyed the unwavering support of the Kogi East bloc for the leadership of Rep. Abejide. Collectively, every speaker not only endorsed the party’s cleansing and restructuring efforts but firmly declared their support for the re-election of Leke Abejide to the House of Representatives and the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
During the official affirmation of newly nominated executives, a letter dated November 1, 2024, from the ADC stakeholders of Odo-Ara/Omi/Ogga Ward in Yagba West Local Government, was publicly read. The letter detailed the offences that led to the expulsion of Kingsley Ogah and reaffirmed that he no longer holds any legitimate position within the party. State, local government, and ward chairmen and women subsequently stood to ratify the newly proposed executives across the state. The process was followed by colourful cultural presentations from Okun, Igala, and Ebira groups, symbolising unity and statewide acceptance of the Abejide-led ADC faction.
In his address, Rep. Abejide spoke extensively on the leadership crisis affecting the ADC at the national level. He lamented the manner in which former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, allegedly abdicated his position in favour of individuals from other political parties in violation of the ADC Constitution.
Abejide stated firmly that the crisis persists because the constitution—specifically Article 9(4)—was disregarded, thereby opening the door for legal intervention. He dismissed as baseless the claim that he had been expelled from the party, describing the allegation, signed by Senator Dino Melaye, as a sign of desperation and misinformation.
According to Abejide, no amount of impunity imported from external forces would be allowed to destabilise the ADC in Kogi State, adding that he would resist any attempt to undermine him or President Tinubu, whom he referred to as a political strategist and a leader with the capacity to transform Nigeria.
He also addressed the expulsion of Kingsley Temitope Ogah and John Adaji, explaining that he personally sponsored the congress that originally produced them before their misconduct led to their removal.
He emphasised that the party must not allow vacuums in its leadership structure and announced the immediate replacement of the duo with new, credible officers. Abejide informed the gathering that several cases were ongoing in court against the illegal national leadership, and that once concluded, the party would reclaim its national secretariat and organise an authentic national convention.
Turning to preparation for the next political cycle, Abejide urged party faithful to begin mobilising for the forthcoming local government elections slated for October next year. He announced that the ADC would field candidates and participate fully in the polls as a lawful political party.
He then made a decisive motion for the Kogi ADC to officially adopt President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, recalling that in 2023, the party in Kogi had unanimously supported Tinubu, except for the defunct national chairman. The motion, met with applause and strong approval, gave way to resounding declarations from all speakers affirming their commitment to deliver their polling units for both Tinubu and Abejide in 2027.
Abejide further promised to expand his interest-free loan scheme, currently active in Yagba Federal Constituency, to include Lokoja/Koto, Kogi Central, and Kogi East as part of his mission to eradicate poverty across the state. He praised Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his achievements in infrastructure and governance, describing him as a leader who is steadily transforming Kogi State.
The congress also witnessed the official announcement of Hon. Mamman Akpena as the new State Secretary of the ADC. The climax came when Hon. (Chief) Sunday Maiyaki delivered his acceptance speech after being newly elected as the ADC State Chairman. With deep emotion, he thanked party leaders—especially Elder Leke Abejide, whom he described as the “indefatigable and indisputable landlord of the ADC”—and pledged to lead with integrity, transparency, and inclusiveness. He assured members that under his leadership, the party would be strengthened from the grassroots, structured for growth, and repositioned as a formidable alternative in Kogi and Nigeria. Maiyaki also joined the chorus of support, publicly declaring his commitment to work for the re-election of both Abejide and President Tinubu in 2027.
As the meeting drew to a close, every speaker and stakeholder jointly reaffirmed their loyalty to Hon. Abejide and the original ADC in Kogi State, their endorsement of the newly ratified executives, and their collective resolve to deliver a resounding victory for Leke Abejide and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections in a signal of a new phase of unity and political momentum for the party in Kogi State.
