In Kogi: Rep Leke Abejide’s influence wanes as INEC rejects ADC faction led by Maiyeki
…..Says Temitope Ogah’s executive remains officially recognized
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has rejected the newly constituted Kogi state executive members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), recently put in place by Leke Abejide, member representing Yagba federal constituency, on grounds that the composition did not adhere to due process.
Recall that a stakeholders’ meeting was held in Lokoja last Saturday, led by ADC factional leader Leke Joseph Abejide, the member representing Yagba Federal Constituency, where an expanded state EXCO members were elected and ratified.
Sunday Maiyaki was elected to replace Kingsley Temitope Ogah, the state chairman, and Mamman Apena, the secretary of the embattled party, among others. The names of the ‘expanded members’ were subsequently submitted to the state INEC headquarters for recognition in a letter.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in a letter dated November 25, 2025, and signed by Dahiru Halmisu Usman, the acting Administrative Secretary of INEC in Kogi State, rejected the newly expanded Kogi State executive council of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) faction led by Leke Abejide.
INEC stated that the letter containing the new executive list must come from the ADC National Party Secretariat in Abuja to INEC headquarters and not from a state or unrecognized group.
The commission emphasized that they only honor communications that follow this procedure, which involves official correspondence through the party’s national secretariat to INEC headquarters for appropriate actions.
This rejection means that the executives led by Kingsley Temitope Ogah remain the widely recognized and legally accepted leadership of the party at both the national level and by INEC.
INEC’s letter clarified that any communication regarding party executive appointments or changes must emanate from the national leadership of the political party through official channels to INEC’s Abuja headquarters.
This procedural standard ensures that INEC deals only with nationally recognized party officials and avoids recognizing factions or splinter groups that bypass this process. Accordingly, communications sent directly to INEC state offices or by groups not recognized at the national level will not be honored.
Political watchers interpret INEC’s rejection as a validation of the status quo, confirming that Kingsley Temitope Ogah’s executive remains the officially recognized leadership of the ADC in Kogi State.
The faction claiming new executives led by Leke Abejide is thus seen as lacking legal recognition regarding INEC and likely ineligible to participate in official party functions or elections under ADC’s banner until approved through national party channels.
