The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has strongly criticized the reported adoption of the party by a new political coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
On Wednesday, members of the opposition coalition in Abuja declared the ADC as their platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. The group also announced former Senate President David Mark as interim national chairman of the ADC, and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as interim national secretary.
Reacting in a statement, Kachikwu dismissed the development as illegitimate and described it as “a dramedy” orchestrated by political figures he referred to as “yesterday’s men.”
According to Kachikwu, the coalition is aligning itself with the former leadership of the ADC headed by Ralph Nwosu, whose tenure he says expired on August 21, 2022. He noted that Nwosu’s continued claim to leadership had been challenged in court.
“The Atiku-led group is in some form of alliance with Ralph Nwosu, whose mandate expired in August 2022,” Kachikwu stated. “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?”
He accused the coalition of attempting to hijack the ADC for selfish political motives and described their move as another manifestation of political opportunism. “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,” he said.
Kachikwu questioned the credibility of the coalition, saying many of its members are individuals who have governed Nigeria for decades with little to show in terms of progress or unity.
“Nigerians are watching those who set our nation on fire now claiming to be the fire brigade. You are not. You are a bunch of greedy and selfish old men who believe political power is your birthright,” he said.
He emphasized that Nigerians are hungry for new leadership, fresh faces, and progressive ideas, not recycled politicians with a history of failure.
“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,” Kachikwu advised, hinting that the coalition’s plans could soon collapse.
He concluded by suggesting that the group may soon be in search of another party, and wished them “Bon Voyage” as they moved on.
