Anger in ADC As State Faction Endorses Tinubu For 2027

A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kogi State has openly declared its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, causing anger in the party.
The announcement was made during a large stakeholders’ meeting led by Rep. Leke Joseph Abejide.
During the meeting, Abejide urged party members to stay united behind the president. He reminded them that the faction had supported the same candidate in 2023, saying members must “stand firmly with President Tinubu.” His motion received loud applause from the gathering.
The group once again selected Tinubu as their preferred choice for 2027, with several speakers promising to win their polling units for both the president and Abejide. The meeting also focused on rebuilding the party’s leadership in the state, and new executives were approved to take charge.
Delegates from all nine federal constituencies attended the session, which was organised to fill vacant positions created by resignations, deaths, and claims of poor performance by former leaders. Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency, led the effort as part of his push to strengthen the faction amid an ongoing contest for control of the party.
However, the development intensified the conflict between Abejide’s faction and the opposing camp linked to David Mark, Tunde Ogbeha, and Dino Melaye. That rival group recognises Kingsley Ogah as the state chairman, but participants at the meeting rejected his leadership completely.

Speakers from the nine constituencies repeated their decision to remove Ogah, calling him “a self-acclaimed leader of an illegal coalition working against the party’s interest.” They insisted that he no longer holds any valid position in the ADC.
A representative of the Kogi East bloc also confirmed their loyalty to Abejide. A letter dated November 1, 2024, from party figures in Odo-Ara/Omi/Ogga Ward was read out, listing allegations against Ogah and reaffirming his expulsion.
After the presentation, party leaders from state, local government, and ward levels approved the newly nominated executives. The meeting also featured cultural performances from Okun, Igala, and Ebira groups, symbolising unity behind the Abejide-led side.
Reacting to the crisis, Abejide accused a former national chairman of causing the division. He said the official “handed over the party to outsiders” in violation of the ADC Constitution. He dismissed reports of his own suspension signed by Dino Melaye, describing them as “desperate, baseless and a blatant misinformation.”