- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, has charged Kogi lawmaker, Leke Abejide, to remain in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and continue his fight against the David Mark factional leadership of the party.
Gbajabiamila gave the charge during his address at the 50th birthday celebration of Abejide’s wife, Modupe Abejide, as well as their wedding anniversary.
Prior to Gbajabiamala’s speech, former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, urged Abejide to leave the party and join the All Progress Congress (APC).
However, the Chief of Staff charged the lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives to ignore the advise.
Gbajabiamila described Abejide as a committed party member who hates being cheated.
“For a man to contest an election in a state like Kogi state where elections are fierce and to contest under a platform of a relatively unknown party, ADC, and to win back-to-back, it tells you who that man is.
“The first time, he came as a sole ADC candidate to the House. Four years later, he went back to Kogi and brought somebody else from the ADC.
“Honourable Abejide, I know you to be a committed party man. I know you to be a fighter. I know you to be someone who does not like to be cheated.” He said.
The former Speaker of the green chamber charged him to fight and scatter the Mark-led faction.
He assured Abejide and the leader of his faction, Nafiu Bala Gombe, of the Tinubu administration’s support.
“So, my charge to you is to stay in that same ADC. Fight them. Scatter them. Hold on to your party, ADC. Do not allow them.
“We like what you are doing. Continue. Don’t mind the former governor that said you should come and join APC.
“Stay in the ADC and win your re-election again as you will, Bring Bala Gombe. We will support him. Do the right thing. You are a fighter.” He said.
Gbajabiamila maintained that Abejide has over the years sacrificed to the party and must not be sidelined.
“Nobody can come and take your party away from you, a party that you built for years with your sweat and your money.
“Continue and goodluck in court. I know you are fighting on principle and I know you will continue to do what is right.” He added.