ADC lawmaker threatens to dump party over attack on Tinubu

The lawmaker representing the Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency, Kogi State, Leke Abejide, has threatened to leave the African Democratic Congress for the All Progressives Congress if the former becomes inhabitable.

Abejide stated this on Monday at the National Assembly Complex while reacting to the recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu by the ADC National Chairman, Mr Ralph Nwosu.

Last week, Nwosu accused the president of deploying security agents across the country to stop the nationwide protest slated for August 1, 2024.

Nwosu, who spoke in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, at the official commissioning of the ADC’s state office chapter and Youth Development Centre, expressed worry over the Federal Government’s plan to stop the protest given the economic difficulties being felt across the country.

Nwosu said, “This morning (Saturday), I tweeted: Why are you people scared of protest? You are telling people who are hungry not to protest? And you have empowered security apparatuses with every arsenal to stop that protest, moving money from legislators to everywhere. The executive members of the cabinet have been giving money out to stop the protest.

“Why can’t you bring the money for people to buy food to eat? Is this a democracy or a dictatorship?” he asked.

Not happy with the comments credited to the ADC National Chairman, Abejide, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, distanced himself from Nwosu’s remarks, saying if things continue the way they are, “I will return to my home.”

Asked if he would leave his party for the ruling party, Abejide said, “I am not leaving the ADC but if the heat becomes too much, I will return to my home.”

He recalled the events that culminated in his decision to swap APC to join ADC.

“I was a leader of the APC in Kogi State. It was because of the problems in the party that I landed where (ADC) I am today.

“Following the death of our leader, Alhaji Abubakar Audu, we all thought that Abiodun Faleke would take his place. But when things did not work out that way, we thought that the government (of Yahaya Bello) would work with everybody. This did not happen and we were frustrated out of the APC.”

Abejide added that in the 2023 elections, he supported Tinubu while Nwosu rallied support for the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, noting that “this difference has been there.”

According to him, there are cogent reasons to support Tinubu to move the nation forward.

Highlighting the reason for the briefing, the Kogi-born lawmaker said, “While I understand the concerns that have led to this call for protest, and indeed share some of these sentiments, I must firmly oppose such action at this critical juncture in our nation’s journey.

“We cannot deny that our country faces significant challenges. The cost of living has risen and many Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet. These are real issues that require our collective attention and effort.

“However, it is precisely because of these challenges that we must rally behind an administration that has shown remarkable courage and vision in tackling our long-standing problems head-on.”

Abejide noted that the president “is carefully sowing seeds which will germinate and yield in both the short term and the long term, just as we have annual crops and perennial crops, thus requiring calculative patience.”

He listed Tinubu’s achievements since assuming office in May 2023 to include economic rebirth and stability, improved national security and local government autonomy, among others.