Fresh divisions have emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kogi East as party stakeholders rejected an alleged plan to adopt consensus candidates ahead of future elections. The aggrieved members described the arrangement as a threat to internal democracy and accused some party leaders of attempting to impose preferred candidates on the opposition platform.
In a statement issued by spokesperson Alhaji Mohammed Adaji, the stakeholders rejected what they called a secret political arrangement allegedly coordinated outside the state. The group claimed the move was designed to favour loyalists linked to former Kogi State Deputy Governor Simon Achuba. They warned that the process could weaken the party's chances at the polls.
"It is a known fact that certain leaders, imposed on the party by the former Deputy Governor, have already handpicked candidates who are prepared to do their bidding including the possibility of an outright withdrawal from the race to favour APC candidates," the statement alleged. The stakeholders also accused unnamed party figures of plotting to field candidates they described as compromised and politically vulnerable to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
According to the group, recent violence recorded during a constituency meeting in Idah signalled growing tension within the party structure in Kogi East. The stakeholders warned that failure to abandon the consensus arrangement in favour of direct primaries could trigger a deeper internal crisis. Alhaji Adaji said party members were aware of what he called a deliberate effort to weaken the ADC in the region and hand political advantage to the APC.
The group appealed to prominent political figures, including Tunde Ogbeha, Bolaji Abdullahi and former Senate President David Mark, to intervene before the disagreement escalates further. The statement added that the ADC's rising support in Kogi East was driven by public dissatisfaction and feelings of marginalisation under the current administration. It further cautioned party leaders against treating their positions as "an opportunity to make money" rather than a responsibility to protect the interests of the people and the opposition party.
