ABUJA, NIGERIA – The African Democratic Congress (ADC), a Nigerian opposition party, is facing significant internal turmoil as its presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Dumebi Kachikwu, has issued a scathing statement condemning what he describes as a “political gang” attempting to hijack the party for personal gain. The remarks come amid recent reports of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his alleged involvement in forming a new coalition.
In a strong message released on Thursday, July 17, 2025, Mr. Kachikwu, who identifies as an Igbo man from Delta State, asserted his right to aspire to Nigeria’s highest office, dismissing what he called “deliberate misinformation” from a group he labels “agents of destabilisation.” He drew a clear distinction between a “political coalition” with noble ideals and a “political gang” seeking power for personal gains, suggesting the latter are on a “rescue mission to rescue themselves from the harsh economic realities which they themselves created for our nation.”
Mr. Kachikwu vehemently denied accusations of being a paid spokesperson for President Tinubu, stating, “it will be an honour to be a spokesperson for the President of the largest black nation on earth but unfortunately that’s not who I am.” He also refuted claims that the dissenting group now represents the ADC, dismissing their actions as attempts to pay off state chairmen with as much as ₦20,000,000 (approximately $13,300 USD) to resign. “Your money will get you nowhere in the ADC,” he warned.
The former presidential candidate specifically targeted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of orchestrating the current charade for personal benefit and of a history of undermining southern presidential aspirations. “Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a man whose antecedents clearly shows he doesn’t believe anyone from the southern part of Nigeria is deserving of being president of Nigeria orchestrated this charade for his personal benefit,” Mr. Kachikwu stated. He challenged Mr. Abubakar to publicly declare that “equity demands that the presidency should stay in the South for another six years” if he genuinely desires a better Nigeria.
Mr. Kachikwu concluded by reiterating that “the ADC is not for sale and is not an old people’s home. We are a party that believes Nigeria needs fresh faces, fresh ideals and fresh ideas. This current political war is the war of the old for the old; it is not our fight.” He affirmed that in the ADC, “Nigeria and Nigerians will always remain our objective.”
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