ADC crisis: Kachikwu backs INEC, raises concerns over ‘hidden interests’
The former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has backed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend recognition of the party’s leadership,
- From Dele Anofi, Abuja
The former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has backed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend recognition of the party’s leadership, while alleging deeper political interests behind the ongoing crisis.
Kachikwu, speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, reacted to INEC’s recent position that it has ceased recognising the National Executive Council (NEC) led by David Mark and will not recognise any faction until pending court cases are resolved.
Describing the development as the latest phase of a protracted leadership dispute within the party, he traced the crisis to what he described as the expiration of the tenure of former national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, arguing that subsequent actions taken in the name of the party lacked legitimacy.
“Ralph Nwosu, whose tenure lapsed on the 21st of August 2022, sold the ADC to men who had destroyed their parties,” he said.
According to him, the current dispute reflects a broader pattern of political actors moving across parties without ideological alignment.
“Jumping from political party to political party, no ideology, no belief system, standing for nothing,” he said.
Kachikwu also questioned the decision by political actors to align with the ADC despite ongoing legal disputes surrounding its leadership.
“Why the ADC?” he asked, noting that other parties exist without similar internal conflicts.
“These men knew that there were myriad issues plaguing the ADC, yet they came,” he said, suggesting that the situation may not be accidental.
Kachikwu alleged a possible alignment between some political actors and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming it could be aimed at weakening opposition platforms ahead of future elections.
“The only possible explanation is that there is a conspiracy to make a fool of us all. What we have here is that Atiku and his co-travelers have paved the way for a smooth run for President Tinubu, he said.
He further alleged that attempts were made to restructure party processes in ways that could exclude grassroots members, including increasing nomination costs.
“Forms that were hitherto sold for N50,000 would now be sold for N500,000, all in a bid to disenfranchise the poor party faithful,” he said.
Kachikwu warned that the ongoing crisis could undermine political aspirations within the party, adding, “The actions of these men have rendered any political aspiration to the ADC a non-starter,” he said.
On the legal dispute, Kachikwu argued that references to the resignation of party officials in 2025 are misplaced, insisting that the leadership structure had already ceased to exist years earlier.
“Why are we talking about resignation in 2025? That does not make sense, you can’t build something on nothing,” he said.
He also questioned INEC’s handling of the matter, noting that previous court orders relating to the party were not enforced.
“The same INEC had several court orders concerning the ADC since 2022, but didn’t recognise any of them,” he said.
He also expressed doubts about the outcome of ongoing litigation, suggesting that multiple cases may eventually reach the Supreme Court.
“There are several court cases that will end at the Supreme Court,” he said, adding that the process could be prolonged.
Responding to claims that his position could favour the ruling party, including suggestions that he had endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term, Kachikwu instead criticised opposition figures.
He said the antecedents of political actors behind what he described as the “hijack” of the ADC are well known to Nigerians, noting, “I will pick President Tinubu above those people because up till now, none of them has said what they would do differently from what President Tinubu is doing.
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“I had long warned that the take over of ADC by the coalition was a bad market. These are individuals who have held sway over the affairs of the country for decades, yet continue to move from one party to another without a clear ideology or belief system,” he said.
He, however, maintained that despite what he described as efforts to disenfranchise party members through the takeover, he remains undaunted and optimistic about his political future.
“What we have here is that they came into the ADC to stop people like me from running but my plan is to run on the platform of the ADC, but we can all see the obstacles before me,” he said.
Kachikwu also dismissed concerns that the ADC crisis signals a drift towards a one-party state, noting that several other political parties remain available to Nigerians.
“There are many parties, PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, SDP, APGA and others, so the issue is not about the absence of alternatives,” he said
Despite the uncertainty, he expressed hope that the party would eventually resolve its internal crisis, saying, “I’m hoping that our party will be able to come together and figure a way out of the mess,” he said.
