Politics
More trouble for ADC defectors, faction confronts David Mark
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
Politics
APC Dumps Adeleke’s Campaign Structure, Unveils Separate 168-Member Council in Osun
APC Dumps Adeleke’s Campaign Structure, Unveils Separate 168-Member Council in Osun
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has established a separate 168-member campaign council for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election, distancing its state leadership from the campaign structure inaugurated by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The development has exposed fresh disagreements within the political arrangement supporting Tinubu’s second-term ambition in Osun, following the controversy surrounding Adeleke’s appointment as the state coordinator of the President’s campaign.
The APC unveiled the new 168-member presidential and parliamentary campaign council on Monday, November 2, 2026, with the party’s governorship candidate in the August 2026 election, Bola Oyebamiji, appointed as Director-General.
Osun APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, was named Deputy Director-General, while Oyebamiji’s running mate, Benjamin Adereti, and Kehinde Olamolu were appointed Assistant Director-Generals I and II, respectively.
The three APC senatorial candidates and nine House of Representatives candidates in the state were also included in the council.
Other prominent members include former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Foluke Etteh; former deputy governors Iyiola Omisore, Titi Laoye-Ponnle, Adeleke Adewoyin and Adegboyega Alabi; retired General Alani Akinrinade; Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode; and APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi.
In a statement announcing the arrangement, Lawal said the council was carefully constituted to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election and the party’s candidates contesting National Assembly and State Assembly elections in 2027.
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The decision comes less than two weeks after Adeleke inaugurated a separate 344-member campaign council in Osogbo on October 22 to coordinate support for Tinubu’s re-election.
Adeleke, who secured re-election as Osun governor on the platform of the Accord Party in August 2026, had been named Osun coordinator of Tinubu’s presidential campaign in the revised campaign council released by the APC national leadership.
However, his appointment generated discontent among some APC leaders in the state, particularly over the composition of the campaign committee and the extent of consultation with the party’s established leadership.
Several prominent APC figures, including former Osun governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Oyebamiji; and Lawal, were absent when Adeleke inaugurated the 344-member council.
Other party figures also stayed away from the event, although APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, former governor Bisi Akande and former deputy governor Iyiola Omisore attended.
Following the inauguration, Lawal complained that the Osun APC leadership was not adequately consulted before the committee was constituted and its membership announced.
He said the party only became aware of the arrangement after Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, published the list on social media less than 24 hours before the planned inauguration.
The APC chairman expressed concern that the manner in which the committee was constituted could create unnecessary disagreements between the party and the governor, despite their shared support for Tinubu’s re-election.
The emergence of the new 168-member council, with Oyebamiji and Lawal occupying its top positions, has now introduced a separate campaign structure within the state.
Another issue contributing to the disagreement is the scope of Adeleke’s political alliance with Tinubu.
During the October 22 inauguration, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Tinubu’s 2027 presidential ambition but made it clear that the arrangement would not extend to legislative elections.
Adeleke said he would campaign for candidates of his own party, Accord, in elections for the Senate, House of Representatives and Osun State House of Assembly.
He also denied entering into any agreement with the APC to share legislative or local government positions, insisting that the political understanding among the coalition partners was limited to the presidential election.
Meanwhile, Oyetola has expressed confidence that Tinubu could secure 1.5 million votes in Osun State in the 2027 presidential election, urging APC members to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and work towards the President’s re-election.
The emergence of competing campaign structures raises questions about how the APC and its political allies will coordinate their activities in Osun ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly as the governor and the state party leadership maintain different arrangements for supporting the same presidential candidate.
APC Dumps Adeleke’s Campaign Structure, Unveils Separate 168-Member Council in Osun
Politics
Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge: Hamzat, Gbadamosi Clash Over N29bn Cost, Toll Collection
Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has defended the construction of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge following allegations of public funds mismanagement by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) deputy governorship candidate, Babatunde Gbadamosi.
The two politicians exchanged words over the cost, financing and toll collection arrangements for the 1.68-kilometre bridge, which was constructed during the administration of former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, when Hamzat served as Commissioner for Works.
Hamzat, in a statement on Monday, described the bridge as a landmark infrastructure project that had improved connectivity and eased traffic for commuters travelling within Lagos.
He said the decision to construct the bridge was driven by the need to reduce time spent in traffic, ease the burden on motorists and improve access to the Lekki Peninsula.
According to him, the project was delivered in collaboration with Fashola and represented an important milestone in Lagos State’s infrastructure development.
The deputy governor said the bridge had become an iconic feature of the Lagos skyline, arguing that its impact on commuters could not be dismissed by political criticism or attempts to rewrite history.
“Critics may try to rewrite history, make unfair comparisons or turn progress into a political argument but they cannot erase the difference this bridge has made in the lives of the millions of people who use it,” he said.
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Hamzat maintained that his commitment to public service remained focused on transparency, infrastructure development and improving the living conditions of Lagos residents.
He also challenged critics of the project to demonstrate their own contributions to infrastructure development.
“When anyone attempts to undermine projects that have made life better for Lagosians, one simple question is worth asking: What have they built?” he added.
However, Gbadamosi, in a statement published on October 31, questioned the cost of the 1.68-kilometre Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, alleging that the project raised concerns about the management of public funds under the Fashola administration.
He recalled that Fashola announced in 2013 that the bridge had been fully funded by Lagos taxpayers at a cost of N29 billion, which Gbadamosi estimated at approximately $195 million.
To support his criticism, the ADC chieftain compared the Lagos project with China’s 42-kilometre Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, which he said cost approximately $2.3 billion.
He argued that the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge was considerably more expensive on a per-kilometre basis, putting its cost at approximately $143 million per kilometre, compared with $55 million for the Chinese bridge.
Gbadamosi also questioned the arrangement that allowed a private company to collect tolls on the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge, alleging that the company did not finance its construction.
The toll collection arrangement has been a subject of public debate, with the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) officially identified as the operator of the bridge’s toll plaza since June 2016.
Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge: Hamzat, Gbadamosi Clash Over N29bn Cost, Toll Collection
Politics
2027: Datti Baba-Ahmed Threatens to Expose More Secrets About Peter Obi, Warns Obidients
2027: Datti Baba-Ahmed Threatens to Expose More Secrets About Peter Obi, Warns Obidients
Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has warned supporters of Peter Obi, popularly known as Obidients, against attacking him over his recent comments about the former Anambra State governor, threatening to make further damaging revelations about the 2023 presidential campaign.
Baba-Ahmed, who served as Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, said he had more information to disclose about what transpired during their political partnership, insisting that attacks from Obi’s supporters would not silence him.
He made the remarks during an interview with Symfoni TV, where he accused some Obidients of attacking anyone who expresses views contrary to their expectations about their political principal.
“Obidients are always eager to attack me. I have more damaging things to reveal. You attack me because I told you the truth about Peter Obi,” he said.
The former senator’s outburst comes amid growing disagreements over Peter Obi’s political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly discussions surrounding a possible alliance or presidential ticket involving former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Baba-Ahmed had argued that an Obi-Kwankwaso ticket might struggle to attract sufficient support in Northern Nigeria, claiming that his experience during the 2023 campaign had exposed significant challenges facing Obi in the region.
He recalled that shortly after joining Obi on the Labour Party ticket in 2022, he had to contend with controversies surrounding allegations that northerners were required to obtain identification cards in Anambra State, the demolition of a mosque and the leaked telephone conversation between Obi and the founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo.
According to Baba-Ahmed, these controversies created difficulties for the campaign in Northern Nigeria, forcing him to personally undertake efforts to address the concerns and convince voters to support Obi.
He claimed that he took Obi to several locations, including Borno, Kano and Zaria, to counter the allegations and improve his acceptance among northern voters.
Baba-Ahmed maintained that his assessment of the political challenges surrounding Obi remained valid, insisting that his comments were based on his personal experience as the former presidential candidate’s running mate.
His latest remarks have further exposed the growing tension between him and sections of the Obidient movement, whose members have criticised him over his perceived opposition to Obi’s political decisions.
The former vice-presidential candidate, however, insisted that he would not be intimidated into silence, warning that he had more revelations to make if the attacks against him continued.
The development adds another dimension to the political realignments and disagreements unfolding among opposition figures as preparations gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election.
The allegations and recollections concerning the 2023 campaign remain Baba-Ahmed’s claims and have not been independently established.
2027: Datti Baba-Ahmed Threatens to Expose More Secrets About Peter Obi, Warns Obidients
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