Kogi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has ratified the suspension of Leke Abejide and five other members for alleged anti-party activities and insubordination.
Abejide is the member representing Yagba Federal Constituency of the state in the House of Representatives, and chairs the Committee on Customs and Excise Duties.
Addressing newsmen, Secretary of the party, Adaji John Udale, yesterday in Lokoja, maintained that the suspension, approved by the State Working Committee (SWC), is with immediate effect. State ADC Chairman, Kingsley Temitope Ogga, in his remarks, stated that the suspended members were disloyal to the party.
“They were suspended for disloyalty and insubordination,” he said. “
The other axed members are Dr. Idris Omede (Abejide’s running mate in the last Kogi governorship election), Johnson Tayo, Lukman Usman Adedayo and Olabode Kayode.
The party’s leadership stated that the suspension was carried out in accordance with its constitution, and followed a review of the members’ activities since the 2023 general elections.
HOWEVER, another faction of the party has announced Ogga’s suspension as state chairman. The faction communicated the decision yesterday at a SWC and critical stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja.
Consequently, it voided the purported suspension of Abejide and the five others. Speaking after the meeting, the State Public Relations Officer of the party, Johnson Tayo, asserted that Kogi ADC would not align with the Coalition Movement, stating that it does not reflect the true yearnings of members.
They declared as laughable the rumoured suspension of the House of Representatives member by Ogga’s faction, saying there was no place for such a decision to be taken by the party.
“We do not recognise the leadership of Kingsley Ogga. Ogga was expelled from the party in 2022, right from his Ward, to LGA, which was ratified by the state executive. There was no time that the suspension and expulsion were overturned. By implication, a party member whose membership is withdrawn is logically out of the circle,” he said.
