ADC presidential candidate: Takeover hostile, illegal; it won’t stand

The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has rejected the recent takeover of the party by a coalition of opposition groups, describing it as hostile and illegal. Kachikwu, in a press conference on Wednesday, dismissed the development as “a dramedy,” accusing the coalition leaders of entering into an alliance with […]

The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has rejected the recent takeover of the party by a coalition of opposition groups, describing it as hostile and illegal.

Kachikwu, in a press conference on Wednesday, dismissed the development as “a dramedy,” accusing the coalition leaders of entering into an alliance with what he described as the wrong leadership of the ADC. He said the move lacked legitimacy and would not stand.

“The tenure of the Nwosu-led executive lapsed on August 21, 2022, and his continued parade of himself as chairman of the party is the subject of various litigations across different courts in the country,” he said.

Posing a series of questions, Kachikwu added, “Can you build something on nothing? Can you shave a man’s hair in his absence? Can you enter a man’s house through the back door and declare yourself the landlord?

“These yesterday’s men who represent a bad chapter in Nigeria’s past have bought a bad market from a man who represents a bad chapter in ADC’s past.”

He described the coalition members as a “group of mostly geriatrics” allegedly seeking a platform to pursue their “chopping must continue” ambition. According to him, the episode reinforces widespread cynicism about Nigerian political parties.

“This further cements the opinion most Nigerians hold that political parties in the country stand for nothing and will fall for anything,” he said.

“They claim to be fighting for the rights of ordinary Nigerians and say they are on a rescue mission. But what confuses Nigerians is that these men—made up of a former vice president, former governors, ministers, and political office holders—are the same people who have presided over the affairs of this nation for the past four decades.”

He argued that Nigeria has nothing to show for their years in leadership “other than being seen as a nation divided by tribe and religion and thriving in mediocrity.”

“We are a nation lacking in the basics, whose majority are poor. Yet we are watching those who set our nation on fire now claim to be the fire brigade,” he said.

Kachikwu described the coalition as “a bunch of greedy and selfish old men who believe political power is their birthright.”

“Nigerians are tired of your generation and reject everything you have to offer, which is nothing,” he said. “Nigerians yearn for new names, new faces, fresh ideas, and progressive ideals.”

He called for a Nigeria that “thrives on meritocracy and deemphasises tribe and religion—a nation that works for all irrespective of region or creed.”

Kachikwu emphasised the need for inclusiveness and social protections for vulnerable groups, arguing that the country’s citizens have never asked for much beyond sincere, people-focused leadership.

“You have failed us and stand rejected by us,” he declared.

He said if the coalition leaders truly wished to be part of the ADC, they should follow due process.

“If they want to join us, they should do the proper thing and come through the front door. We are a party of decent and well-behaved people. Our brand of opposition is one that not only opposes but proposes—something your group is not conversant with.”

According to him, failure to follow due process will only result in their inevitable exit from the party.

“You’ll soon be shopping for another party, and as you do that, we, the members of the African Democratic Congress, wish you bon voyage,” he said.

Kachikwu added that he and other stakeholders would write to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to demand clarification on the authentic leadership of the ADC, stressing that they believe Ralph Nwosu lacks the mandate to sign the coalition agreement on behalf of the party.

He also described as laughable Nwosu’s decision to hand over the party to former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola—just days after they reportedly obtained ADC membership cards.

“Our constitution clearly states that anyone seeking to hold executive office in the party must have been a member for at least three years,” he said.

‘Coalition not interested in taking Nigeria forward’

Appearing later on Channels TV, Kachikwu said the coalition’s actions show they are only interested in taking Nigeria backward.

When asked to respond to claims by the coalition that he is an enemy of progress attacking a platform created to rescue Nigeria, he said, “They are the enemies of Nigeria. They are enemies of progress. Nigerians can no longer be fooled.”

“Everyone saw the videos from the event. What you saw in that hall were ‘former this, and ‘former that’: former vice president, former governors, and former ministers—all relics of the past. They never take Nigeria forward,” he said.

He lamented that despite 70% of Nigerians being under 30, the coalition was composed of people above 75.

“They are not rescuing Nigeria. They’re political jobbers whose only concern is holding office. I speak for genuine ADC members, for Nigerians, for the masses. I weep for Nigeria.”

He said his generation had lost opportunities due to lack of trust, with the same leaders from his childhood still dominating politics.

“How can anyone believe that after Asiwaju, it should still be a bunch of old men taking over? They have nothing to offer,” he said. “They don’t even understand the language their kids speak.”

Kachikwu questioned what those former ministers—many of whom served under President Buhari—achieved during their tenure.

He continued, “These are the same people now saying they want to save the country. From what—if not from themselves?”

He described the coalition’s entry into ADC as an underhand move.

“Nwosu’s tenure expired in August 2022. We wrote several letters to INEC seeking a special convention”.

He said state leaders were unaware of the coalition plans, and now many, including state secretaries, women leaders, and youth leaders, were protesting.

“When Nwosu claimed all party structures had resigned—where are the signatures?” he asked.

Responding to whether he had been detached from the party’s administration, Kachikwu said he once met with the coalition’s leaders and asked two questions: whether they were willing to allow a southerner to lead the alliance and whether their goal was simply to reclaim power.

“The answer I got was, ‘We want to take our power back.’ That’s insulting to any southerner.”

He condemned the regional mindset of the coalition and called it a betrayal of national unity and meritocracy.

“It’s not about Tinubu or ADC. It’s about Nigeria’s future. We don’t need these people,” he said.

Kachikwu said when he joined the ADC, he believed in its ideals but was later shocked to learn that Nwosu had led the party for 18 years without internal democracy.

Asked whether he was aware of Nwosu’s relationship with Atiku Abubakar, Kachikwu said he had no knowledge of Atiku’s involvement in ADC.

“But let’s be honest—how many Nigerians knew ADC before I joined? I placed fifth in the presidential election out of 19 candidates. I made ADC a household name, not Nwosu, who spent 18 years selling forms.”