Factional crisis splits Kogi ADC as leaders trade suspensions

A leadership crisis has erupted in the Kogi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as warring factions within the party have issued conflicting suspensions against top members, deepening internal divisions.

The crisis escalated on Monday when the State Working Committee (SWC), led by State Secretary John Adaji, announced the suspension of the party’s only elected lawmaker in Nigeria, Hon. Leke Abejide, representing Yagba Federal Constituency. Others suspended include Dr. Idris Omede, Hon. Johnson Tayo, Lukman Usman Adedayo, and Olabode Kayode, over alleged anti-party activities and insubordination.

Adaji stated that the decision, effective August 4, 2025, was unanimously endorsed by the SWC, and that the affected members have been summoned to appear before the party’s National Working Committee in Abuja for further disciplinary action.

The SWC also passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the State Chairman, Hon. Kingsley Temitope Ogga.

However, a rival faction of the SWC, meeting separately at Lily Hotel in Lokoja, dismissed Ogga’s authority, claiming he had been expelled from the party since 2022.

Factional Public Relations Officer Johnson Tayo insisted Ogga’s suspension was ratified from the ward to state levels and has never been reversed.

“This individual cannot speak for ADC, as his membership remains revoked,” Tayo said, reaffirming Hon. Leke Abejide as the party’s true leader in Kogi and rejecting the legitimacy of the national-level ADC Coalition Movement.

Tayo emphasized that the opposing faction does not recognize Ogga or any of his actions as representative of the party, warning that any decisions made under his name are null and void.

The deepening crisis highlights growing fractures within the ADC in Kogi State, with both factions laying claim to the party’s leadership and direction ahead of future political decisions.