The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, has appealed to former party leader and member of the House of Representatives, Leke Joseph Abejide, to return to the party, describing him as a key figure whose experience and contributions are vital to its rebuilding process.
Gombe made the appeal in an open letter addressed to Abejide on Sunday, expressing confidence that the party’s recent court victory had created an opportunity for reconciliation, healing and renewed unity.
Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives, was elected on the ADC platform in 2019 and 2023. He later defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) amid the protracted leadership crisis that rocked the ADC.
In the letter, Gombe described Abejide as a prominent figure in the party’s history, noting that he remains the only member of the House of Representatives ever elected on the ADC platform.
He commended the lawmaker’s contributions, loyalty and sacrifices, which he said had played a significant role in the growth of the party.
The ADC chairman attributed Abejide’s departure to the activities of what he described as a coalition of political hijackers, whom he accused of disrupting the party’s unity, stability and progress.
“Now that, by the grace of God and the pronouncement of the court, we have reclaimed our party, I am, on behalf of the National Leadership and the entire membership of the ADC, extending a warm and sincere invitation to Hon. Abejide to come back home to his family,” Gombe said.
He described the task of rebuilding and repositioning the party as enormous, stressing that it would require the experience, wisdom and leadership of committed party members and political figures such as Abejide.
According to him, the damage allegedly caused by the coalition members had made reconciliation and the restoration of the party’s unity imperative.
Gombe expressed readiness to welcome Abejide back, insisting that the ADC remained his political home.
“Our doors are open. Our arms are wide open. The ADC is your home, and your home awaits you,” he stated.
The ADC chairman concluded his appeal with a message of brotherhood, saying: “Welcome back in advance, my brother and colleague.”
The statement was signed by Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress.