ABUJA — Dumebi Kachikwu, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 general elections, has accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, of using the party’s leadership crisis to send a parting shot at President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday, Kachikwu alleged that Yakubu’s decision to recognize the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC was a deliberate move to spite the president.
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything otherwise. I knew that as the chairman was leaving, he was going to give the President a big middle finger to show his displeasure. And that’s exactly what he did,” Kachikwu said.
INEC had earlier in the day published the names of the David Mark-led executive of the ADC on its official portal, effectively endorsing the faction despite ongoing court cases.
Kachikwu condemned the move, insisting that Yakubu should have refrained from making pronouncements while several disputes over the party’s leadership were still before the courts.
Describing the INEC boss as one of the “worst mistakes Nigeria has ever made,” Kachikwu said:
“I have never had any faith in the INEC chairman’s ability to do anything right. I’m glad he is leaving. Ultimately, the judiciary will decide the outcome of this case.”
He further lamented that the ADC had become collateral damage in what he described as a political tussle between Yakubu and the presidency.
“Unfortunately, my party — the party of Nigerians who are trying to rebuild the nation — has become the victim here. And when two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers,” he added.
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