BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – A wave of severe backlash has continued flooding social media following a viral video featuring Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, openly urging a federal lawmaker, Hon. Leke Abejide to remain within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and fight to “scatter them”.
This is as Grassroots Mobilisation Network (GMN), a support group within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), slammed the President’s Chief of Staff and accused the Presidency of deliberately instigating and fueling crisis in the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At present, the ADC is in a crisis mood with several court cases instituted by different factions struggling to take control of the coalition party. But reacting to Gbajabiamila’s comments, GMN described it as quite troubling, alleging the Chief of Staff is openly promoting internal disruption within the ADC and suggesting federal backing for expelled members to destabilize the party.
According to the group, well-meaning Nigerians should not just fold their hands and watch but urge President Tinubu to uphold democratic principles and the rule of law, warning that bold attempts at interfering in the internal affairs of opposition parties would not augur well for Nigeria’s democracy.
Gbajabiamila drew public ire when he reportedly assured that the federal government would support Abejide and Nafiu Bala, expelled and suspended members of ADC in their legal battle against the party’s leadership, currently contested by a coalition of politicians.
Speaking at the 50th birthday celebration of Abejide’s wife in Abuja, Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker, House of Representatives, encouraged the Kogi state born lawmaker, currently linked to the Nafiu Bala-led faction, to intensify internal chaos rather than defect from the party.
These remarks have ignited wide-spread criticisms, with many Nigerians accusing the Presidency of directly engineering the leadership crisis and factional infighting currently crippling the opposition party.
A video of the event that went viral on Monday showed Gbajabiamila saying: “I know you to be a committed party man. I know you to be a fighter. I know you to be someone who doesn’t like to be cheated. So please, my charge to you is to stay in that same ADC. Fight them. Scatter them. Hold on to your party ADC. Do not abandon them.”
Clearly indicating that the Presidency is comfortable with the ongoing crisis within the ADC, the former Speaker did not hold back in his charge to Abejide, who represents the Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, saying, “We like what you are doing. Continue. Don’t mind what the former governor said they will come and join APC.
“No, no, no. Stay in ADC. Win your re-election in ADC and you will. Bring Gombe, what’s his name again? Bala Gombe. Bring him. Do the right thing. You are a fighter.
“Do the right thing. Nobody can come and take your party away from you. A party that you’ve built with your sweat and your money and everything. Continue. Good luck in court.”
Expectedly, the President’s Chief of Staff’s remarks have sparked an online uproar, with many Nigerians accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of promoting political interference and internal destabilisation of opposition parties.
The expression of anger has continued to gain traction on social media, especially on X, with most users describing Gbajabiamila’s comments as politically reckless and undemocratic in all ramifications.
In his post, Charles Darwin wrote: “Foolish people, I was seeing this man like a responsible person.”
For Matthew Beckley: “APC thinks dis is 2023, were Der Baba said snatch and grab it, Der eyes go clear”
In his reaction, Lapai Boy wrote: “They will not be a ruling party forever, let them enjoy it while it lasts.”
TrendPHD wrote:“Continue to push for the destruction of ADC, the people’s choice. It’ll never happen but your own downfall is imminent”
Also reacting, Oluwadamilare wrote: “Shame.. and that clueless man called bejide has family… No one can counsel him; he is fighting against democracy. APC is evil”
Isah Ishola criticised the development, saying: “This has further shown these people are only after politics of destruction, demonstrating their evil act publicly is so shameful, at least they should have some courtesy for the office of the president. They reduced the office of the president to nothing more than business ventures..”
On his part, Thanos wrote, “I don;t blame them, I blame INEC and the judiciary.”
Another X user, A’man said: “He is blushing for being sent to dangerous work. Your end may likely not justify your means.”
Meanwhile, amidst the noise, this latest scandal has intensified the ongoing scrutiny of political behaviour, with spotlight cast on the cutthroat nature of Nigerian party politics while also providing a volatile backdrop for opposition parties, who are actively reassembling their forces in anticipation of future electoral contests and party rivalry in the country.
