The African Democratic Congress just cleaned house. And the broom swept out some recognizable names.
The party has announced the expulsion of 11 members, including House of Representatives member Leke Abejide and Nafiu Bala Gombe, over alleged violations of the party’s constitution and disciplinary code. The decision was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, following resolutions reached at the party’s National Convention held on April 14, 2026, in Abuja.
The convention was presided over by National Chairman David Mark. And the message from that convention was unmistakable: the ADC is serious about discipline.
The Full List of the Expelled
The party did not hide who was shown the door. The expelled individuals are:
Leke Abejide, Nafiu Bala Gombe, Kingsley Temitope Ogga, Don Norman Obinna, Kennedy Odion, Clement Ehigiator, Stella Chukwuma, Patrick Ambut, Johny Tovie Derek, Duke Dick, and Elias Adikwu.
That is a mix of elected officials, factional leaders, and party stalwarts. Abejide, a member of the House of Representatives representing Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, is arguably the highest-profile name on the list. Nafiu Bala Gombe has also been a significant figure in the party’s internal politics.
The party said the decision followed “the consideration and adoption of a motion on the discipline of erring members, duly presented and ratified by delegates at the Convention.” In plain English, the party’s highest decision-making body voted to throw them out.
What They Did Wrong
The statement from the ADC cited “acts deemed inconsistent with its constitution, values, and disciplinary framework.” That is the official language. But the context matters.
The ADC has been locked in a bitter internal leadership struggle. Factions have clashed. INEC withdrew recognition of certain leaders. The party defied the electoral commission to hold its convention anyway. And now, fresh off that convention, the newly affirmed leadership is expelling those who stood in opposition.
The party did not provide specific details of the violations committed by each individual. But the message is clear: these 11 people were on the losing side of the internal war, and the winners are now consolidating power.
What Happens to Them Now
The ADC was blunt about the consequences. The expelled individuals “cease to be members of the African Democratic Congress with immediate effect.” They are now free to join other political parties. And the party made a point of noting that “any political party that may wish to receive them is free to do so.”
That last line is telling. The ADC is not just expelling these members. It is publicly inviting other parties to take them. That is a strategic move. It signals that the ADC is confident enough in its own direction that it does not fear losing these individuals to rivals. It also puts the expelled members on notice: you are no longer our problem.
The Bigger Picture
The ADC is positioning itself as a serious opposition force ahead of 2027. It has defied INEC. It has installed David Mark as National Chairman. It has attracted figures like Dele Momodu, who recently endorsed an Atiku-Obi ticket under the ADC banner. And now it is demonstrating that it has the internal discipline to expel high-profile members who cross the line.
Whether this expulsion strengthens or weakens the party depends on perception. If the public sees it as a necessary cleansing of disruptive elements, the ADC gains credibility. If the public sees it as a political witch hunt against internal rivals, the party may appear divided and authoritarian.
The ADC, for its part, is projecting confidence. The party reaffirmed its commitment to internal discipline and democratic principles, stating that it “will continue to uphold the highest standards of accountability” as it positions itself as a viable political alternative.
The Bottom Line
So what just happened at the ADC? The party expelled 11 members, including House member Leke Abejide and Nafiu Bala Gombe, for violating the party’s constitution and disciplinary code. The decision was ratified at the party’s April 14 national convention, presided over by National Chairman David Mark. The expelled members are now free to join other political parties, and the ADC says any party that wants them is welcome to take them.
The names are public. The reasons are official. But the real story is about power. The ADC has chosen its leaders. It has expelled its dissenters. And it is now daring the world to take it seriously as a force in 2027.
