ABUJA — The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, has lashed out at political heavyweights attempting to hijack the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that the ADC will not serve as a fallback platform for failed politicians.
Kachikwu, who vowed to contest again in 2027 under the ADC, accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other political defectors of plotting to exploit a party built through years of sacrifice by its genuine members.
“These are people who have had numerous opportunities to serve Nigeria but failed. Now they want to use the ADC to actualize their ambitions. I say no. Atiku should go and rest; there is no room for him here in 2027,” Kachikwu declared.
He stressed that the ADC must remain a platform for fresh ideas and new leadership, not a dumping ground for recycled politicians. “They are a crowd of ‘formers’—former vice presidents, former governors, former ministers. They have nothing new to offer. If they couldn’t salvage Nigeria in their time, they won’t do it now,” he said.
On zoning, Kachikwu insisted that Atiku and other northern aspirants should respect equity and fairness by allowing the South to contest against President Bola Tinubu in 2027. “We supported the North when it was their turn; now the South should be given a fair chance,” he said.
Kachikwu also criticized Nigeria’s long-standing governance failures, attributing them to tribalism, religious bias, and the lack of a national identity. He called for a “new charter” to redefine Nigeria’s ethos and promote unity.
He further condemned successive presidents for nepotism, insisting that his own leadership approach would prioritize fairness, justice, and inclusiveness: “When you take care of everybody, your own people are automatically included.”
Dismissing fears that political intruders could weaken his chances within the ADC, Kachikwu expressed confidence that “sanity and justice will prevail,” while maintaining that party primaries should remain open and competitive.
“They should keep off; ADC is not a dirty platform for their brand of politics. Nigerians deserve a new direction, not recycled leadership,” he concluded.
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