By Leah Ndagi
A member of the House of Representatives from Kogi State, Hon. Leke Abejide, has declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) lacked the capacity to win the presidency in the 2027 general election.
Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency under the ADC platform, made the remarks during an appearance on ‘Politics Today’, a current affairs programme on Channels Television on Thursday night, where he assessed the party’s chances and the broader political landscape ahead of the next election cycle.
According to the lawmaker, defeating President Bola Tinubu would be a difficult task, particularly given the advantage of incumbency and Tinubu’s political experience.
“It is not easy to defeat Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a master of the game who won even when he was not in power, not to talk of now that he is in office,” Abejide said.
He argued that rather than pursuing what he described as an unrealistic presidential ambition, the ADC should consider forming strategic alliances with stronger political parties to remain relevant at the national level.
Reflecting on the last 2023 elections, Abejide disclosed that he had advised the party against fielding a presidential candidate, warning that such a move would only drain resources.
“I told them clearly that the party could not win the presidency and that we should not waste our time and energy. Instead, we could partner with a bigger party and focus on winning seats in the National Assembly and State Assemblies,” he said.
The lawmaker maintained that such a coalition approach would strengthen the party’s influence and position it better for future political contests.
He also questioned the timing and feasibility of mounting a credible presidential challenge against an incumbent president, urging patience among party members.
“Where is the time for us to go and get this presidency, and from whom? Someone who is a master of the game? Why can’t we be patient? It is just four years,” he added.
When asked about his loyalty to the ADC amid accusations by critics that he was advancing the agenda of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the lawmaker insisted that his political stance does not amount to disloyalty, stating that he maintains relationships across party lines.
“My heart is in APC and ADC, and it is not a crime,” he said, while clarifying that he remains a bona fide member of the ADC, the platform on which he was elected.
He further explained that his collaboration with members of the APC in the National Assembly was driven by the need to effectively represent his constituents, noting that no lawmaker can operate in isolation.
Earlier on Thursday, Hon. Abejide, alongside members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) loyal to Nafiu Bala faction, staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja over the party’s lingering leadership crisis.
The demonstrators, led by Bala and Abejide, called on the electoral body to urgently recognise Nafiu Bala as the legitimate national chairman of ADC.
