Kachikwu To Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai: You’re In Wrong ADC

Dumebi Kachikwu, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 elections, has responded with skepticism to the recent adoption of the party by an opposition coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

At a meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday, coalition members declared the ADC their platform for challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. They also named former Senate President David Mark as interim national chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as interim national secretary.

In a statement, Kachikwu expressed concern that the coalition’s actions reflected a re-engagement with figures linked to outdated and controversial leadership models within the party, stating that he is observing the unfolding developments “with amusement.”

He claimed that the coalition is dealing with the former leadership of the party led by Ralph Nwosu. According to him, the tenure of the Nwosu-led executive of the ADC ended on August 21, 2022.

Kachikwu berated the coalition group, saying that they represent a bad chapter in Nigeria’s past. He, however, said that if they want to join the party, they should do so through the front door.

The statement reads: “It is with the greatest amusement that I watched the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar-led group announce their takeover of the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress. As is expected, I have been inundated with a lot of calls and messages seeking my reaction to the unfolding dramedy.

“The facts of the matter are as follows: The Atiku-led group is in some form of alliance with the former leadership of the party led by Ralph Nwosu. The tenure of the Nwosu-led executive lapsed on August 21, 2022, and his continued parade of himself as the chairman of the party was the subject of various litigations in different courts across the country.

“From the foregoing, I want to then pose the following questions: 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 bad market from a man who represents a bad chapter in ADC’s past.

“Nigerians have watched in amazement as this group of mostly geriatrics shopped around for a party to prosecute their ‘chopping must continue’ ambition.

“This further cements the opinion most hold that political parties in Nigeria stand for nothing and will fall for anything. They have told us that they are fighting for the rights of ordinary Nigerians and that they are on a rescue mission but what is confusing to the Nigerians they want to rescue 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.

“We have nothing to show for their decades of 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, but here we are watching those who set our nation on fire saying they are the fire brigade.

“No, you are not; you are a bunch of greedy and selfish old men who believe that political power is your birthright. You stand for nothing other than your interests and will pay any price to hold political office.

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

“We yearn for a new Nigeria that thrives on meritocracy and deemphasises tribe and religion. We dream of a nation that works for all Nigerians irrespective of region or religion. We want a nation whose laws and opportunities are equal to all men. We desire inclusiveness for all and social protections for the weak amongst us. Nigerians have never asked for much other than a leadership that truly cares. You have failed us and stand rejected by us.

“If you seek to be a part of the ADC, 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 also proposes, something that your group is not conversant with.

“I strongly suspect that you will be shopping for another party very soon, and as you do that, we, the members of the African Democratic Congress, wish you Bon Voyage. Thank you and God bless.”