The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday advised a member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, to remain in the African Democratic Congress and challenge the party’s leadership crisis from within.
Gbajabiamila gave the advice during Abejide’s wedding anniversary celebration in Abuja, urging him to disregard calls to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The presidential aide specifically asked the lawmaker, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State, to resist pressure allegedly mounted by former Governor Yahaya Bello to join the APC.
He encouraged Abejide to stay in the ADC and confront the factional leadership tussle involving a group led by former Senate President David Mark.
Gbajabiamila also urged the lawmaker to work closely with Nafiu Bala Gombe, an aggrieved member laying claim to the party’s national chairmanship in a pending suit before the Federal High Court.
He expressed support for Abejide’s continued stay in the ADC, maintaining that he should defend his political base and pursue his re-election within the party.
Abejide, who has faced criticism over alleged anti-party activities, recently reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Speaking during a television interview, the lawmaker described Tinubu as his long-time political leader, while noting that he maintains ties with both the APC and the ADC.
He said his political relationships cut across party lines, adding that such affiliations should not be misconstrued.
When asked about his preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election, Abejide expressed support for Tinubu, stating that his choice was based on personal conviction rather than party alignment.
The lawmaker, alongside Gombe, had last week led a protest to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, calling on the electoral body to disregard the Mark-led faction of the ADC.
They accused the group of attempting to hijack the party’s leadership structure in violation of its constitution.
Abejide insisted that the party’s guidelines require members to spend a stipulated period before contesting for leadership positions, urging INEC to recognise Gombe as the legitimate national chairman.
Gombe, in his remarks, also called for adherence to due process, warning against attempts to undermine internal democracy within the party.
