ABUJA — The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of orchestrating a calculated takeover of the party to advance his 2027 presidential ambition.
Kachikwu’s claims come amid the formation of a new opposition coalition under the ADC platform, bringing together prominent political figures including Atiku; Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate; former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai; and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Kachikwu alleged that Atiku and his allies had “fraudulently” manipulated Obi and the ADC leadership into joining the coalition. He further claimed that Obi was under pressure to accept a vice-presidential slot under Atiku’s ticket.
According to Kachikwu, Atiku’s loyalists have been “strategically positioned” within the ADC’s national structure to secure control of the party ahead of the 2027 polls.
“I had warned that a group of mostly old former political officeholders were executing a carefully orchestrated agenda to take over the ADC to prosecute Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition come 2027,” Kachikwu said.
“I also warned that Peter Obi and other presidential hopefuls in this coalition of geriatrics were being duped, as Atiku’s men had been carefully positioned to take over the ADC party structure across the country.”
Kachikwu also accused Atiku of paying lip service to southern political aspirations, saying, “Despite professing affinity with the South, he does not believe any southerner deserves the presidency.”
The allegations add a new layer of tension to the emerging coalition, which has been touted as a united front to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
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