The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kogi State has formally affirmed Hon. (Chief) Sunday Maiyaki and Hon. Mamman Akpena as State Chairman and State Secretary, respectively, marking a decisive step toward repositioning the party after months of internal disputes and leadership vacuum. Their ratification took place at an expanded executives and stakeholders’ congress held in Lokoja, which drew party leaders from all nine federal constituencies.
The congress, presided over by Rep. Leke Joseph Abejide, member representing Yagba Federal Constituency, was convened to fill vacant positions created by deaths, voluntary exits, and abandonment of duties by some former officials. The affirmation of the new leadership received overwhelming support from party stakeholders, women leaders, ward representatives, and local government executives across the state.
In his acceptance speech, the newly affirmed Chairman, Hon. Sunday, Maiyaki described his emergence as a “solemn call to serve, unite, and lead with unwavering integrity.” He expressed gratitude to Elder Leke Abejide, whom he hailed as the “indefatigable landlord of the ADC,” and to stakeholders for entrusting him with the leadership of the party at a critical moment.
Maiyaki pledged to run an administration anchored on transparency, teamwork, and inclusiveness. He promised to strengthen party structures, mobilize grassroots supporters, empower youths and women, and reposition the ADC as a credible force in Kogi politics. According to him, the mandate does not belong to him alone but to all party members who desire a progressive and united platform.
His speech set the tone for the event, as speakers from the nine federal constituencies—including Otunba Duro Aseremaseka, Pastor Joseph Asalu, Hon. Bakabe Farouk, Hon. Joshua Adejo, Hon. Yunusa Tair, Mallam Hussein Saha Adam, Hon. Sunday Oseje, Hon. Farouq, and Hon. Balogun James—reaffirmed their confidence in the new leadership. They also restated the collective decision of the party to uphold the expulsion of Kingsley Ogga, who was accused of working against the interest of the ADC.
Representatives from Kogi East, speaking through Dr. Aku, on behalf of Dr. Omede Idris, publicly aligned with the new leadership structure and endorsed the direction being charted under Abejide and Maiyaki.
During the congress, a letter dated November 1, 2024, from the ADC stakeholders in Odo-Ara/Omi/Ogga Ward was read, affirming the expulsion of Ogga and highlighting infractions that disqualified him from involvement in the state leadership. This further solidified the legitimacy of the newly affirmed executives.
Throughout the gathering, cultural displays from Okun, Igala, and Ebira groups added colour to the proceedings and symbolised broad ethnic support for the party’s renewed direction.
Rep. Leke Abejide, who delivered an extensive address, commended the emergence of Maiyaki and Akpena as timely and necessary for stabilising the party. He condemned attempts to destabilise the ADC through unconstitutional actions and maintained that only leaders who respect the party’s constitution can steer the ADC forward. Abejide used the occasion to reaffirm the party’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the Kogi ADC had backed Tinubu in 2023 and would again support him in 2027.
As speaker after speaker rose to the podium, the congress became a rallying point for unity and forward planning. Without exception, all speakers declared their commitment to ensuring the reelection of both Leke Abejide and President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. Abejide, in turn, announced the expansion of his interest-free loan scheme to more parts of the state as part of his ongoing effort to eradicate poverty in Kogi.
The meeting closed with a joint resolve by all stakeholders to work in harmony under the new leadership of Hon. Sunday Maiyaki and Hon. Mamman Akpena, and to deliver overwhelming support for the duo’s 2027 reelection efforts—signalling a new era of unity and purpose within the Kogi ADC.
