The Kogi State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Kingsley Ogga, has strongly refuted the legitimacy of two individuals involved in a legal challenge against the party’s interim national leadership, declaring them as non-members and political impostors.
Ogga made this assertion during an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lokoja. He specifically named Adeyemi Emmanuel and Ayodeji Victor-Tolu, two of the three plaintiffs in the case filed against the David Mark-led interim executive committee of the ADC, as individuals who have long been expelled from the party.
According to Ogga, the duo were dismissed from the ADC in 2022 after internal investigations found them culpable of misconduct. “The duo were summarily dismissed from the party since 2022. We are surprised that they are claiming to be card-carrying members of our party,” he said.
“I think the onus rests on them to produce their party membership cards for the world to see, in justification of their legal action against the interim national leadership,” Ogga added, accusing them of being used by “disgruntled elements” to destabilize the party. “It’s part of the dirty politics some non-patriotic citizens play. But I can assure you, this bad move won’t take them anywhere. They have already failed woefully.”
The controversial legal challenge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1328, was brought forward by Adeyemi Emmanuel, Ayodeji Victor-Tolu, and Haruna Ismaila from Nasarawa State. The suit contests the legitimacy of the interim leadership led by former Senate President David Mark, alleging that the transfer of party leadership violated an earlier court judgment.
The ADC is listed as the first defendant, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the party’s immediate past National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, are listed as the second and third defendants, respectively.
Backing Ogga’s claims, the ADC Chairman of Kabba Bunu Local Government Area, Mr. Kayode Andrew, also dismissed the lawsuit, stating that Emmanuel and Victor-Tolu have no standing to represent the party legally or politically.
“For the sake of clarity, and to prevent the public and our teeming supporters in Kogi West from being misled, we wish to state unequivocally that there is no cause for alarm,” Andrew said.
He emphasized that Adeyemi Emmanuel holds no official position within the ADC. “Adeyemi Emmanuel is neither a member nor a ward chairman of ADC in Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, and so he lacks the locus standi to institute any legal action on behalf of ADC,” Andrew clarified.
He further urged party supporters and constituents in the federal constituency to stay united and focused on reclaiming their mandate at the ballot box during the 2027 general elections.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the ADC leadership maintains its stance that the lawsuit is baseless and politically motivated, asserting full confidence in the legitimacy of the interim national executive currently led by David Mark.
