Kachikwu Accuses David Mark-Led Group of Working for Tinubu to Destabilize ADC
The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has made serious allegations against former Senate President David Mark and members of his caretaker committee. Kachikwu claims they are being sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilize the ADC, aiming to pave the way for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election in the 2027 general elections.
INEC's Recognition Withdrawal and Party Factions
Kachikwu's accusations come in response to a recent statement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC announced it has ceased to recognize the Mark-led caretaker committee and any other factions of the ADC, pending the outcome of ongoing court matters. This move has intensified the internal conflicts within the party, with Kachikwu pointing fingers at external influences.
He alleged that Ralph Nwosu, whose tenure as ADC chairman ended on August 21, 2022, sold the party to former political office holders who have dominated Nigerian politics for decades. Kachikwu described Mark and his associates as political opportunists, stating, "They are jumping from political party to political party, having no ideology nor belief system but standing for nothing and believing only in the notion that power is their birthright."
Warnings and Legal Battles
Kachikwu emphasized that he had long warned about the ADC being a "bad market" for those trying to enter through the back door. He predicted that such individuals would be forced out, and the current situation is just the beginning. "Several court cases will end at the Supreme Court, and the only way they can win is if the Supreme Court can change Monday to Saturday and Saturday to Tuesday," he added, highlighting his skepticism about their chances in legal proceedings.
He expressed confusion over why the ADC, the platform he used in the 2023 elections and planned to use again in 2027, suddenly became attractive to Mark and others who recently joined. Kachikwu questioned, "There are many who would say that this means that we are now a one-party state, and my immediate response is that we have the PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, AA, AAC, SDP, ADP, APGA, Accord and many other parties out there. So, why the ADC?"
Allegations of Disenfranchisement and Conspiracy
Kachikwu accused the Mark-led group of planning to disenfranchise poor party faithful by increasing congress form prices from N50,000 to N500,000. "Are they saying that ordinary Nigerians, whom they consider poor, are not good enough to hold party positions in a party where these big men are?" he asked, criticizing their purported elitist attitudes.
He asserted that these actions indicate a conspiracy with the APC. "For them to come into ADC, knowing that there is no pathway here for them, means that there is a conspiracy between these men and the APC to make a fool of us all," Kachikwu stated. He noted that despite ongoing court cases, they chose ADC over 16 to 18 other parties without legal issues, suggesting prior knowledge of the turmoil.
Response to Endorsement Allegations and Future Plans
Dismissing allegations that he plans to endorse President Tinubu for a second term, Kachikwu shifted blame to Atiku Abubakar and his allies, whom he claims entered the ADC to block his 2027 presidential bid. He insisted they should be held accountable for facilitating Tinubu's smooth re-election. However, he admitted, "If we were to consider or place this group of people side by side with the current President, I would choose Tinubu. As far as I am concerned, they have got nothing to offer."
When asked about his political party for the 2027 elections, Kachikwu affirmed his commitment to the ADC. "I am not one of these people who run from party to another. I am in ADC, and my plan and intention are to run on the platform of ADC," he said. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the current crises but expressed hope for resolution. "I am hoping that at some point in the next few weeks, our party members will be able to come together and figure a way out of the mess we find ourselves in."
Media's Role in the Crisis
Kachikwu also criticized the media for exacerbating the ADC's crises by referring to "hijackers" like David Mark as ADC members. He argued that the situation could have been resolved earlier if media outlets had not recognized Mark as chairman without proper electoral procedures. "The crises would have been resolved if you had not referred to David Mark as Chairman, Caretaker Committee of ADC, knowing that by the electoral act, someone can't emerge as chairman of a party without going through proper procedures," he concluded.
