By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is once again in the spotlight following a scathing statement from Dumebi Kachikwu, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, who has accused a faction of political actors of attempting to hijack the party for selfish interests.
In a strongly worded address titled “This Is Not the ADC Way”, Kachikwu decried what he described as an orchestrated plot by a group of political opportunists and “agents of destabilisation” seeking to seize control of the ADC through financial inducement and misinformation.
According to him, the plotters are attempting to mask their true intentions by branding themselves a coalition, when in reality they are nothing more than a “political gang” on a mission to rescue themselves, not the nation from economic hardship.
“They are truly on a rescue mission, but it is a mission to rescue themselves from the harsh economic realities which they themselves created for our nation,” Kachikwu asserted.
The former presidential candidate claimed that the group is offering up to N20 million to state chairmen of the ADC in a bid to coerce mass resignations and pave the way for a hostile takeover of party structures.
He, however, insisted that the party’s
constitution would not permit such manipulation, stating that “your money will get you nowhere in the ADC.”
In defending his right to speak on party affairs, Kachikwu dismissed claims that he lacked the authority to do so since he is not a current party official.
“This is the same elitist ignorance that brought Nigeria to this point where we believe Nigeria is only for the rich and powerful.
“Every member of our party no matter how poor you people have made them have a say in the ADC”, he said.
He also refuted allegations that he is a paid spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, saying while it would be “an honour” to speak for the President of the largest Black nation in the world, such claims were false.
Instead, he accused his detractors, “political jobbers who have no visible means of livelihood” of spreading lies to deflect from their own lack of integrity and public value.
Kachikwu alleged that this so-called coalition is staging fake defections in various parts of the country to create the illusion of growing support, a tactic he likened to the typical playbook of “old politicians.”
His statement went further to take aim at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of spearheading the current plot for personal gain and of consistently working against southern leadership in Nigeria.
Kachikwu referenced Atiku’s reported opposition to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s second term bid, as well as the power struggle that followed the administrations of Presidents Jonathan and Buhari.
He challenged Atiku to publicly endorse the principle of equity by supporting the continuation of the presidency in the southern part of the country for at least another six years.
“He will never do this, but if he chooses to continue on this slippery slope, I want to reiterate that the ADC is not for sale and is not an old people’s home”, Kachikwu said.
Reaffirming the party’s commitment to fresh ideas and youth-driven politics, Kachikwu declared that the current political war being fought among the elite class is not the ADC’s battle.
“In the ADC, Nigeria and Nigerians will always remain our objective,” he noted.
