Politics

More trouble for ADC defectors, faction confronts David Mark

Published

6 months ago

August 2, 2025

David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola

More trouble for ADC defectors, faction confronts David Mark

An African Democratic Congress (ADC) member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide yesterday described the coalition group members who have taken over the affairs of the party as political marauders.

He vowed to team up with other ‘original’ members of the party to chase out such people.

Abejide (Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State) spoke to reporters in Abuja 24 hours after Nafiu Bala, a former National Deputy Chairman of ADC from Gombe State declared himself the party’s acting national chairman.

Osun State governor Ademola Adeleke who was reported to be on his way to the ADC yesterday denied any such move on his part.

“I’m an original member of ADC, not Coalition ADC, and I want to assure that we shall do all we can to chase out the political marauders that came from PDP, Labour Party, and part of the struggling APC into our party,” Abejide said.

He said any attempt to hijack the ADC by individuals with no historical ties to its founding would not stand.

He said: “When I was nursing the party, where were they? When they destroyed their parties, PDP and LP, we will not allow them to destroy ADC like that.”

He said those now laying claim to the leadership of the party entered through the window, bypassing the legitimate democratic processes and party structures.

Continuing, he said: “I have been watching their character since they claimed to have ADC, and it has become clear to me that they came to the party to hijack the structure, suppress the original members, and use the platform to achieve their aims and objectives.”

The lawmaker said that as the most senior member of the party’s National Executive Committee, he would not fold his arms and watch the party ‘stolen.’

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“On this premise, we shall explore legal opinion on the way forward, and I may likely approach the court, as the highest member of the ADC NEC, to challenge the illegality of the so-called current National Working Committee,” Abejide said.

He reaffirmed his loyalty to the founding vision of the ADC, stressing that the party must remain true to its foundational principles and not be reduced to a platform for desperate political actors seeking shortcuts to power.

“I am proud that I am a member of the party and I am a strong reminder of the original beliefs—not irrational beliefs,” he stated.

Dr. Musa Isa Matara, who was the National Publicity Secretary of the party before he was supplanted, accused the coalition-led interim leadership of excluding original ADC members from recent national appointments.

“The coalition team came and appointed people as they liked, without considering the original members in their appointment list,” he told The Nation.

He said that although the Ralph Nwosu-led NEC had handed over the party leadership to Chief David Mark in the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the action of the new leadership fell short of their public commitment to unity.

“Our expectation based on the speech made by David Mark was that he is going to carry all the party structure, all ancestry, without any segregation or bias,” he said.

He alleged that over 50 appointments were made into the new NEC without any inclusion of longstanding ADC members, saying, “none of our ADC members was appointed into positions. It means it’s a hijack.”

He said the ‘original’ members are behind Nafiu.

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He added: “We will not allow them to come into our party and hijack the structure of the party without including our members.

“So we are forming a new faction ADC, which we have our leader as Nafiu Bala from Gombe, who was the Deputy national chairman, and is now stepping in as National Chairman of the party.”

He said their faction would be unveiled today.

Bala: I’ve not resigned

Nafiu Bala yesterday denied resigning his position as Deputy National Chairman of the party.

He said a May 18, 2025 document purported to be his resignation letter was fake.

Bala, in a statement in Abuja said the document was deceptive and put in circulation by mischievous elements both within and outside the party.

He said: “I wish to unequivocally state that I have not resigned from my position as the Deputy National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The timing and content of this fake resignation letter are not only misleading but also riddled with glaring contradictions that raise serious questions about its authenticity.

“Notably, while the letter claims I resigned on 18 May 2025, it is critical to highlight that on 2 July 2025, during a meeting to receive certain new members into the ADC at the Yar’Adua Conference Center in Abuja, my predecessor, Ralph Nwosu, publicly declared his own resignation.

“In his address to the global media, he made a specific mention of my status, stating, ‘Nafiu Bala did not resign as the Deputy National Chairman.’ This statement alone invalidates any claims of my resignation and underscores the deceitful nature of the circulated letter. Furthermore, I would like to draw attention to the discrepancies between my official correspondence and the aforementioned fake resignation letter.

“All my official communications have been conducted on the official headed paper of my office, which bears the emblem and insignia of the African Democratic Congress. In stark contrast, the fraudulent resignation letter is presented on plain paper, devoid of any official markings. This blatant difference in presentation further undermines the credibility of the document and highlights the nefarious intentions behind its circulation.

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“In light of these developments, I must also question the authenticity of those who are now posing as new leaders of our party. The constitution of the African Democratic Congress clearly stipulates that any individual seeking to assume a leadership position must be a member of the party and must have maintained their financial obligations for a minimum of one year prior to their candidacy.

“This provision has not been amended, and any claims to the contrary are simply unfounded. It is essential that we uphold the integrity of our party’s Constitution and ensure that all leadership transitions adhere to the established guidelines.

“The integrity of our party’s governance structures must be preserved, and any actions taken outside of these formal processes cannot be recognized as legitimate.”

Bala asked all party members, supporters, and the broader public to remain alert in the face of misinformation and to reject efforts aimed at sowing discord within the party ranks.

He added, “Our party is built on the principles of democracy, transparency, and integrity, and it is imperative that we work together to uphold these values.

“I reaffirm my commitment to the African Democratic Congress and its vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria. Together, we will continue to advance our agenda and serve the interests of the people we represent.”

I am not defecting to ADC – Adeleke

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State said yesterday that he has no intention of defecting to ADC.

The governor’s spokesman,Malam Rasheed Olawale, said in a statement in Osogbo that Adeleke remains in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is not aligning with anybody within the ADC.

He said that there was no truth in the speculation about Adeleke’s imminent defection or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race.

“There is no truth in those speculations and publications,” he said.

Olawale said that since the PDP in Osun had adopted and endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, there was no alliance with ADC.

“Gov. Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.

“The Osun electorate supports the governor because of his impressive performance since he came to office.

“That good work is still ongoing, and the people of the state are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing him in 2026,” he said.

The spokesperson also said that the governor had directed PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory in the election.

More trouble for ADC defectors, faction confronts David Mark

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Politics

City Boy Movement Receives Bus Donations from Zenco, Obi Cubana for Tinubu’s Campaign

Published

16 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

City Boy Movement Receives Bus Donations from Zenco, Obi Cubana for Tinubu’s Campaign

Prominent business leaders and influencers have donated buses worth millions of naira in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, signalling a growing grassroots mobilisation effort by his backers across Nigeria.

The donations were led by Cletus Uzoezie Oragwa, founder of Zenco Oil, alongside Chief Christian Okonkwo of C-Energy Oil and popular nightlife entrepreneur Obi Cubana. The buses were handed over to CityBoyMedia, an affiliate of the City Boy Movement, a youth-driven grassroots support platform actively engaging communities in the Southeast and beyond to strengthen Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

During the presentation ceremony, the donors emphasised that the buses would enhance the movement’s logistics, voter mobilisation, and outreach efforts in key regions, particularly rural communities. The initiative underscores the role of private sector support in bolstering campaign infrastructure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Obi Cubana, who has previously been prominent in civic engagement and social advocacy, signalled stronger political alignment with the Tinubu-led administration. In recent events, including hosting Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, in Abuja, Cubana reaffirmed his commitment to youth mobilisation and inclusive political participation through the City Boy Movement.

Also present at the event was social media personality Cubana Chief Priest, who expressed support for the administration and reiterated his opposition to former presidential candidate Peter Obi in the upcoming 2027 elections.

The donations coincide with a wider surge in pro-Tinubu mobilisation activities nationwide, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and allied groups intensify efforts to consolidate support and ensure a strong grassroots presence. Political observers note that contributions from private citizens and business figures play a key role in sustaining momentum for the campaign.

This initiative highlights the intersection of political support, business influence, and grassroots mobilisation, reflecting strategic efforts to galvanise youth engagement and strengthen the administration’s electoral prospects.

City Boy Movement Receives Bus Donations from Zenco, Obi Cubana for Tinubu’s Campaign

Politics

Jakande’s servant-leadership mindset remains relevant — Olurode

Published

18 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Jakande’s servant-leadership mindset remains relevant — Olurode

LAGOS — A retired Professor of Sociology at the University of Lagos, Lai Olurode, has described the late first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, as a symbol of ethical and people-centred leadership, saying his “servant mindset” continues to offer lessons for today’s political class.

Olurode spoke in Lagos on February 11, 2026, at a commemorative event marking the fifth anniversary of Jakande’s passing, where he delivered a tribute titled “Jakande’s Servant Mindsets Remain Evergreen.”

Reflecting on Jakande’s legacy, Olurode said the late governor’s decisions were largely driven by public good rather than personal gain.

“An analysis of Jakande’s actions… reveals that his major actions weren’t self-interest driven but motivated by a consuming concern for the enhancement of public goods,” he said.

He noted that Jakande’s tenure expanded access to education, healthcare, roads and employment, with benefits reaching ordinary citizens rather than a narrow political circle.

According to him, the former governor demystified governance by taking it to the grassroots and maintaining close contact with the masses.

Olurode also recalled the period following the 1983 military coup, when praise for Jakande’s achievements continued despite the prevailing political climate, citing an incident where a government official described the ousted governor as a “superstar.”

Highlighting Jakande’s personal style, he said the late leader avoided flamboyance, cut the cost of governance and remained accessible even after leaving office.

“Jakande shunned flamboyance and the wasteful paraphernalia which many Nigerian leaders artificially surround themselves with,” Olurode added.

He urged contemporary leaders to embrace ethical values, inclusivity and accountability, noting that Jakande’s legacy endures decades after his single term in office.

The event also featured reflections on Jakande’s contributions to Lagos State and tributes to his family, including his wife, Alhaja Sikirat Abimbola, and their children.

Politics

El‑Rufai Warns He Could Be Arrested Amid Rising Political Tensions

Published

1 day ago

February 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai

El‑Rufai Warns He Could Be Arrested Amid Rising Political Tensions

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El‑Rufai has raised alarm that he could be arrested at any time by Nigeria’s security agencies, claiming his outspoken criticism of the federal government and the alleged targeting of political opponents may make him a potential target. In an interview with BBC Hausa, El‑Rufai said that although he has not yet been detained, he believes his arrest is imminent, noting that several close associates have already been picked up by security forces. “About four people we worked with in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” he said, highlighting what he described as political pressure and intimidation of opposition voices.

El‑Rufai alleged that the APC-led federal government is using security and anti-corruption agencies to intimidate dissenting politicians, forcing some to either defect to the ruling party or face punitive action. His remarks come amid heightened political tension in the country and follow the arrest and ongoing trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, who faces charges including abuse of office — allegations he describes as politically motivated. Critics say selective targeting of opposition figures undermines democratic principles and escalates mistrust in governance, especially as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. El‑Rufai’s warning has intensified debates about the independence of law enforcement agencies and their role in political matters.

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Once a key figure in the APC, El‑Rufai has become a vocal critic of parts of the current administration. He claims that officials linked to his past administration have faced repeated investigations and detentions without formal charges, alleging these actions are politically motivated. In a confidential memo dated February 10, 2026, he stated that several former aides and associates had been detained and arraigned on what he called “phantom charges” designed to tarnish reputations and limit political competition.

While he insists he has committed no wrongdoing, El‑Rufai has called for due process and transparency, stressing that Nigeria’s political space must remain free from intimidation and unlawful targeting of opponents. His statement underscores growing concerns about political intimidation and the misuse of security agencies, highlighting the need for institutional independence and protection of opposition voices as the country navigates an increasingly charged political atmosphere.