A member of the House of Representatives and prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Leke Abejide, has dismissed the ongoing opposition coalition using the ADC platform as a political tool, saying the alliance is destined to fail.
Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, made the remarks during an interview on Sunrise Daily. He described himself as both the “face” and “financier” of the ADC, stating that the current coalition lacks cohesion and credibility.
On Wednesday, opposition leaders including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, and other high-profile figures unveiled the ADC as the platform through which they plan to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
But Abejide expressed strong reservations about the coalition, distancing himself from the group and disclosing that he had declined invitations to join the discussions.
“I have been in this party since 2018, and I’m the face of ADC in Nigeria, and I believe you can say ADC only exists in Kogi State,” he said.
He explained that Ralph Nwosu, the party’s founder and former national chairman, had approached him to participate in the coalition talks, but he declined.
“People I never expected to join ADC are now there. I don’t think we have anything in common. The people I have something in common with are mostly in APC,” Abejide added.
“I’m the financier of the party. The national chairman spoke with me, but I didn’t attend any of their meetings. There is nothing they didn’t do. I didn’t attend their meeting because I don’t believe in it. Something I know is not going to work or bring any success – why should I go there?”
Responding to the resignation of Ralph Nwosu from his position as ADC national chairman, Abejide acknowledged that freedom of association is a constitutional right.
“As the president (Bola Tinubu) said, there is freedom of association. Tomorrow, I can decide to go to APC; nobody can stop me. So, for them to come to ADC, it is their own right to do that,” he said.
“But as for me, that coalition is not going to end anywhere.”
His comments come amid growing internal disagreements within the ADC and rising scepticism over the sustainability of the new opposition alliance.
