House Member Leke Abejide Accuses David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola of Illegal ADC Leadership Takeover

Lawmaker Leke Abejide alleges an illegal takeover of the ADC by David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola. Read his claims about the party’s constitutional crisis.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 7:14 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Vanguard News

Allegations of Unconstitutional Party Seizure

The internal crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified following a public accusation by Leke Abejide, a member of the House of Representatives. Speaking on a televised political program, Abejide alleged that a bloc of high profile political figures, including former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, have taken control of the party’s machinery. He argued that this transition was executed without following due process, further deepening the rift between long standing members and the newly arrived coalition.

Failure to Consult Existing Party Structures

Abejide criticized the "hijacking" of the party, noting that the new leadership failed to engage with established members who have sustained the ADC. He maintained that if political heavyweights intend to join an existing party, they have a procedural obligation to consult with current stakeholders. According to the lawmaker, he was never approached by the new leadership, nor has he had any contact with other prominent figures linked to the coalition, such as Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Ameachi, or Peter Obi.

Constitutional Validity of New Leadership

A central point of Abejide’s argument is the legal standing of the current leadership faction under the ADC’s constitution. He alleged that at the time the new leaders assumed their roles, they had not yet registered in their respective wards and were therefore not valid members of the party. Abejide insisted that his opposition is not based on political exclusion but on a commitment to the law, stating that the party cannot be allowed to be destroyed by constitutional shortcuts.