By ERICJAMES OCHIGBO

Rep. Leke Abejide (ADC-Kogi) has announced his resignation from African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing the leadership crisis in the party as reason for his actions.

Abejide, while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Friday, said that the decision to leave ADC was painful but necessary to advance his political career and attract more dividends of democracy to his constituents.

The lawmaker, representing Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi in the House of Representatives, said that he was moving to the “mainstream party.”

Abejide, who was the National Leader of the party, said that “nine months ago, the party was unlawfully hijacked by politicians that were chased out of political parties they could not manage.”

He said that the uncertainties in ADC necessitated filing a suit in a Federal High Court in furtherance of his constitutional rights to associate freely and to be a member of the political party of his choice.

The lawmaker said that he joined ADC, nurtured it to national recognition as a political party, with representation in both National and State Assemblies.

He further stated that he funded the party as its national leader, adding that he had now willingly relinquished the position to the current National Chairman, Mr Nafiu Bala, wishing him goodluck as he continues to fight for his rights in court.

Abejide said that the mission and vision were to produce a party which the country could be proud of, stressing, however, that these had been truncated by those he called party hijackers.

“My fellow Nigerians, my esteemed loyal supporters in Yagba Federal Constituency in particular in Kogi, Nigeria at large and indeed across the globe, it is necessary to address you on the current imbroglio besetting my former political party, the ADC.

“I have strenuously discussed, consulted and dialogued with my political leaders, constituency supporters and people that enjoy my vision and missions that are in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I am ready to continue my support for this progressive club. I have prayed earnestly on this and the leading of the Holy Bible, I have decided to change my party.

“Recently, on April 14, I was purportedly proclaimed by the people that wanted to reap where they did not sow as being expelled.

“I wish to state that I have willingly and voluntarily exited and had since extinguished my membership of ADC,” he said. (NAN)

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