ADC chieftain faults David Mark-led leadership, describes Obi, Aregbesola, others as ‘hijackers’

*Leke Abejide, a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, representing Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, accuses former Senate President David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and others of hijacking the leadership of the African Democratic Congress amid deepening leadership crisis

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Hon. Leke Abejide, a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, representing Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, has accused David Mark-led leadership, and some other prominent political figures of “hijacking” the African Democratic Congress (ADC) amid the party’s deepening crisis.

Abejide preferred this allegation against them Thursday, April 9, 2026, while speaking as a guest on Channels TV programme, monitored in Lagos.

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The Federal lawmaker faulted the emergence of a faction of the party, led by Mark, who is former Senate President in the National Assembly (NASS), Abuja, FCT.

Clarifying the identities of those he described as the “hijackers”, Hon. Abejide said they include “former Senate President David Mark, former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, and the rest.”

He equally faulted the process through which the Mark leadership, supported by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and others emerged.

According to him, due consultation with existing ADC members was ignored.

The ADC has, in recent weeks, been embroiled in a multi-factional leadership dispute.

It is noted crisis intensified, following the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to not recognise the Mark-led executive, in compliance with a Court of Appeal ruling ordering a return to the status quo ante, pending the resolution of the dispute.

Relating how things reached this critical juncture in the party, Abejide stated: “If you want to come to a party, and it is not a fresh one, you should know that some people are there. “Why don’t you meet with them first and discuss?”

On whether he had ever held meetings with key political figures reportedly involved in the coalition against the governing All Progressives Congress, including Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Peter Obi, Abejide said: “No, I have never met with them. None of them has ever met me.”

The House of Reps member also dismissed suggestions that he was sidelined because he was perceived as a “sellout”.

Abejide argued that “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.”

Citing the ADC constitution, Abejide noted that the appointments of Mark, and others violated established rules in the party.

The lawmaker said that those who assumed leadership positions had not fulfilled these requirements at the time.

He stated: “As of the time they sat on their seats, they had not registered in their wards.

“They were not members of the ADC as at the time they took over.”

Abejide explained: “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 as well claimed that longstanding party members were neither informed nor consulted in the leadership transition and subsequent crisis rocking the party as of now.

Subsequently, due to the multi-factional leadership dispute in ADC, the party currently has three competing groups, with parallel claims to leadership and ongoing legal battles further complicating efforts at stabilising its structure ahead of future political engagements.

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