Leke Abejide, the lawmaker representing the Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency in Kogi State, has warned he may leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) if conditions within the party become untenable.
Abejide made the statement on Monday at the National Assembly Complex in response to recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu by ADC National Chairman, Mr. Ralph Nwosu.
Last week, Nwosu accused President Tinubu of mobilizing security forces to suppress the nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, 2024. Speaking in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at the ADC’s state office chapter and Youth Development Centre commissioning, Nwosu expressed concerns about the government’s approach to curbing the protest amid widespread economic hardship.
Nwosu commented, “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.
Reacting to Nwosu’s remarks, Abejide distanced himself from the ADC National Chairman’s comments, stating that if the situation within the party continues to deteriorate, “I will return to my home.”
When asked if he would switch to the ruling party, Abejide replied, “I am not leaving the ADC but if the heat becomes too much, I will return to my home.”
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He recalled his decision to move from the APC to the ADC, citing internal party issues. “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 noted his support for Tinubu in the 2023 elections, contrasting it with Nwosu’s backing of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, pointing out, “This difference has been there.”
He emphasized the importance of supporting the current administration, saying, “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 stated.
He commended President Tinubu’s efforts, listing achievements such as economic stabilization, improved national security, and local government autonomy since assuming office in May 2023. “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,” Abejide concluded.
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