Abejide Pushes Back As Expelled ADC Members Seek To Void His Mandate

Hon. Leke Abejide has moved to defend his seat in the House of Representatives after two expelled members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) filed a petition asking that his mandate be declared vacant.

The move has sparked fresh political tensions in Kogi State’s Yagba East/West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency.

The petition was submitted by Kingsley Temitope Ogga and Adaji John Udale, but Abejide’s camp says both men lack the standing to challenge his position. According to a statement from his Special Adviser on Public Communications, Bashiru Abdul Mohammed, the petitioners were expelled from the party at the ward level, and their removal was approved at the local government, state, and national levels.

The lawmaker’s team insists the petition is already defective, arguing that the individuals involved have no legal or party authority to initiate any action related to Abejide’s mandate. They also accused the petitioners of attempting to mislead the public with a recent publication driven by personal grievances rather than facts.

Abejide’s camp further pointed to the Constitution, citing Sections 68 and 109, which detail how seats in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly can be declared vacant. They argued that the petitioners are relying on constitutional provisions they do not understand, especially given their expulsion from the party.

The statement also criticised those behind the petition for what it described as repeated impersonation, warning that such actions could attract legal consequences. It added that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, is expected to dismiss the petition once it is formally presented.

Abejide, who is serving his second term, maintains that he was duly elected and that his mandate remains firmly intact. His supporters say they are ready to resist any attempt to interfere with the legitimacy of his position.