A faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused former Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, of peddling falsehoods and attempting to illegally take over the party’s leadership structure.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Public Affairs of the authentic ADC, Christopher Okechiku, the group described Abdullahi’s recent comments as “a confession of a failed conspiracy,” insisting that he lacks legitimacy to speak for the party.
The statement questioned Abdullahi’s membership status, alleging that he could not clearly state when he formally joined the party, while accusing him of aligning with others to orchestrate a “hostile takeover.”
Okechiku said: “The recent outburst from Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, who curiously labels himself the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, is not just a bundle of falsehoods; it is a confession of a failed conspiracy.
“While Mr. Abdullahi is entitled to his opinion, he is not entitled to his own facts. We are compelled to respond, not for his benefit, but to educate the public on the antics of those who see political parties as ripe for plunder.
“Mr. Bolaji, let us start with the basics of political morality. You ask Nigerians to take you seriously as a spokesman for the ADC, yet you cannot honestly answer a simple question: When did you officially register as a member of this party? Was it before you began salivating at the prospect of its leadership, or after you and your co-adventurers drew up a blueprint for a hostile takeover?
“The ADC was built brick-by-brick by genuine progressives, not by political mercenaries who arrive with their suitcases only when they smell an opportunity. Your inability to show your membership card speaks volumes about your legitimacy.
“The “Tinubu Anointment” Fallacy
You have also peddled a ridiculous tale that President Bola Tinubu is plotting to anoint Hon. Bala Nafiu as National Chairman. Let us apply logic here.
“If President Tinubu is supporting Hon. Gombe to reclaim his legitimate seat, a seat that is rightfully his under the ADC Constitution, then it simply confirms that the President respects the rule of law.
“Your logic is twisted. You seem to believe that any support for constitutional order is an “anointment.” If defending the provisions of a party’s constitution makes one a democrat, then President Tinubu deserves applause, not your baseless insinuations. Your attempt to drag the presidency into your internal mess is a cheap ploy to play the victim, but Nigerians are not fooled.
“A cardinal point of every successful democracy is internal democracy. This means respecting the rules of the game. You and your co-plotters have failed to internalize this because your ambition is driven by an excessive hunger for power.”
He that the ADC constitution clearly outlines succession procedures and does not support what it described as an unlawful takeover by new entrants into the party.
Okechiku further alleged that some state party chairmen who initially aligned with Abdullahi’s camp had been abandoned after being used to advance what he termed an illegitimate agenda.
He added, “They have been dumped like refuse. They have been abandoned without any compensation. Their schedules and responsibilities as state Chairmen have been cornered and distributed to your new collaborators, many of whom are not even legitimate members of the party.
“This is the hallmark of your movement: you use people, squeeze them dry, and toss them aside when they are no longer useful. You have taught them a bitter lesson in loyalty to opportunists.
“We must address the company you keep. To prop up your illegal structure, you have surrounded yourself with a motley crew of politicians who are alleged to have squandered our national treasure. Nigerians remember these faces.
“They are the ones who contributed to the looting of the public purse. Now, they seek to hide under the umbrella of the ADC to rehabilitate their image.
“The ADC is not a recovery home for disgraced politicians. We reject this alliance of thieves. We will not allow our party to become a dumping ground for those who have nothing to offer but a history of plunder and a hunger for power.
“Mr. Bolaji, your attempt to hijack the ADC has failed because it was built on a foundation of lies, constitutional breaches, and greed. The structure of the party remains solid under its legitimate leadership. We advise you and your co-travelers to retrace your steps, or better still, go and build your own party from scratch. The ADC is not for sale, and it is certainly not for rent to political jobbers.”
