ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, has raised the alarm over what he described as an orchestrated attempt by desperate politicians to hijack the party through financial inducement and political manipulation.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Kachikwu claimed that some members of a coalition of opposition parties were offering state chairmen of the ADC up to N20 million each to relinquish their positions, describing the development as a “desperate bid” to seize control of the party.
He warned Nigerians not to be misled by claims that the coalition is adopting the ADC as its platform, stating that the move is part of a broader plan by “political job seekers” to take over the party for personal gain.
“This fake coalition is staging events across the country, paying poor Nigerians to claim they are decamping from other parties to the ADC,” Kachikwu said. “They are doing everything to project a false narrative. Our constitution does not allow them to simply buy their way into official positions. Their money will get them nowhere in the ADC.”
Kachikwu denied allegations that he was being used to disrupt efforts by patriotic Nigerians to unify through the ADC. Instead, he accused the coalition leaders of spreading misinformation while pursuing self-serving interests under the guise of political unity.
He further criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of masterminding the alleged plot to take over the ADC. According to Kachikwu, Atiku’s political track record shows a disregard for power rotation and fairness, particularly against candidates from the southern region of Nigeria.
“Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has shown by his actions that he does not believe anyone from the South is deserving of the presidency,” Kachikwu alleged. “He nearly stopped President Obasanjo’s re-election, undermined President Jonathan, and now insists it was right for him to contest the last election after Buhari’s eight-year rule.”
He challenged Atiku to publicly declare support for zoning the presidency to the South in 2027 if he truly believes in justice and national unity.
Kachikwu also urged Labour Party’s Peter Obi to be wary of the coalition, alleging that Atiku was misleading him with claims that only he could secure northern votes.
“This is a political gang-up, not a coalition,” Kachikwu warned. “The ADC is not for sale, nor is it a retirement home for failed politicians. We stand for new faces, new ideals, and new ideas. This is not our fight — it is a fight among the old for the old.”
The ADC chieftain reiterated his opposition to any attempt to compromise the party’s independence, saying the ADC remains committed to charting a fresh path for Nigeria’s future.
