ADC Crisis: Outrage as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila Urges Abejide to ‘Fight Them, Scatter Them’ in Viral Video

By Tgnews Reporter

A video showing President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, openly advising House of Representatives member Hon. Leke Abejide to remain in the crisis-ridden African Democratic Congress (ADC) and intensify internal battles has sparked widespread condemnation online.

The remarks were made during what appeared to be a private or celebratory interaction, reportedly at an event linked to Abejide. In the clip, which went viral on Monday, April 20, 2026, Gbajabiamila encouraged the lawmaker—who is aligned with the Nafiu Bala faction of the ADC—not to defect despite ongoing leadership crises and court cases rocking the opposition party.

“I know you to be a committed party man. I know you to be a fighter… 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. We like what you are doing. Continue,” Gbajabiamila said in the video.

He dismissed suggestions that Abejide should join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), specifically referencing advice allegedly given by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. “Don’t mind them — the former Governor said that you should come and join… No, no, no. Stay in ADC. Win your election in ADC as you will,” he added.

Gbajabiamila further told Abejide that the party “belongs to him” because he built it “with your sweat and your money,” and urged him to bring in allies such as “Dada Gombe” or “Bala Gombe,” saying “those of us in support” would back the move. He also wished him “good luck in court” as the factional battles continue.

The ADC has been plagued by internal leadership disputes and legal tussles in recent times, with multiple factions laying claim to the party’s structure ahead of future elections.

The video has triggered massive outrage on social media, with many accusing the Tinubu administration of orchestrating or encouraging the destabilisation of opposition parties in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.

Critics described the comments as an open admission of interference in opposition affairs, with some labelling it as undemocratic and a sign of desperation by the ruling party. Others questioned the propriety of a senior government official getting involved in the internal matters of another political party.

Supporters of the ADC and opposition figures have called for investigations or clarification from the Presidency, while some online commentators argued that the remarks could be used as evidence in ongoing court cases involving the party.

As of Tuesday morning, the clip continued to trend across platforms, with calls for Gbajabiamila to explain or retract the statement gaining momentum.

The incident comes amid heightened political manoeuvring as parties position themselves for the next electoral cycle. Political analysts say such public endorsements of internal division could further weaken smaller opposition parties and consolidate dominance by the ruling APC.