By Joy Onu
Elder Leke Abejide, the national leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a member of the House of Representatives representing the people of Yagba Federal Constituency, has called on the party’s supporters in Kogi State to remain calm and focused following reports that the party may have been excluded from the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
According to a press release issued by Pst. Mamman Akpena, the ADC State Secretary, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Abejide made the appeal during a weekend meeting with Kogi State party leaders at his Abuja office. He noted that the party has already taken up the matter with the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and that a resolution would be communicated to members in due course.
“We have raised this issue with the state commission, and the outcome will soon be shared with all party members,” Abejide said. “In the meantime, all our candidates, chairmen, and councillors should continue their campaign activities in their respective councils.”
He cautioned party members against protests or any actions capable of escalating tensions, assuring that the matter would be handled through lawful means. “Everything humanly possible will be done to resolve this situation in our favour. Do not involve yourselves in any form of crisis. Be law-abiding and focused,” he urged.
Abejide further reassured party candidates that the ADC would stand by them irrespective of the outcome of discussions with the electoral body. “We encouraged you to pick up the forms to contest, and we are still asking you to remain calm. Rest assured, this matter will be managed, and all of you will emerge triumphantly,” he said.
Earlier at the meeting, Pst. Akpena told the national leader that party members and candidates had been seeking clarity since reports of the alleged disqualification surfaced on social media. He noted that no formal communication had been received by the party in writing.
The state secretary urged the party’s national leadership to expedite efforts at resolving the issue to enable full-scale campaign activities across the state’s 21 local government areas. “With your assurances, frail nerves will be calmed going forward,” he said.
The ADC leadership in Kogi State is now awaiting official feedback from the electoral commission while encouraging candidates to sustain grassroots engagement and preparedness.
