Dumebi Kachikwu, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has dismissed the opposition coalition recently unveiled in Abuja, describing it as a desperate backdoor plot by old political players who have repeatedly failed Nigeria.
Kachikwu, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, condemned the alliance for selecting the ADC as its political vehicle for the 2027 elections, warning that the coalition was neither credible nor welcome.
“These are the same old politicians, recycled for decades, now parading themselves as Nigeria’s rescuers,” he said. “Nigerians can’t be deceived anymore. The people in that room are ‘former’ everything—former governors, former ministers, former leaders. They’ve taken Nigeria nowhere, yet they want to take us back to the so-called former glory, which wasn’t glorious at all.”
The ADC flagbearer accused the group, which includes key figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi, of attempting to hijack the party through illegitimate means.
“Look at how they came in—through the back door. It tells you the kind of people we are dealing with. Backdoor politicians with no fresh ideas, just schemes,” he stated.
Kachikwu also faulted the appointment of David Mark as interim national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, stressing that no such leadership exists within the ADC at present.
He explained that former ADC national chairman Ralph Nwosu’s tenure expired two years ago, making any coalition agreement he entered into null and void.
“The constitution of our party is very clear. To hold any position in the ADC, you must have been a member for at least two years. Ralph Nwosu has no mandate, no authority, and cannot speak for the ADC,” Kachikwu clarified.
According to him, the opposition coalition reflects the same recycled leadership that has contributed to Nigeria’s current state of poverty and underdevelopment.
“Seventy per cent of Nigerians are youths, yet not one young person was visible in that gathering. Instead, it was a room full of geriatrics, people way past their time, yet they claim they’re coming to save Nigeria,” he remarked.
Kachikwu described the coalition as nothing more than political opportunists seeking to maintain power and influence.
“They sit at home, criticise the government from morning till night, yet call themselves opposition. That’s not opposition. That’s self-preservation,” he added.
The ADC candidate also vowed to formally petition the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clarify the status of the party leadership and the legality of the coalition’s actions.
“If INEC turns around to recognise a man who left the party 18 years ago, whose tenure ended two years back, as chairman, I will quietly walk away from the party. But until then, I will not sit back while these backdoor politicians infiltrate our ranks,” he warned.
Earlier, a coalition of opposition leaders met at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, announcing the ADC as their political platform ahead of the 2027 elections. David Mark and Aregbesola were introduced as interim leaders following Ralph Nwosu’s resignation.
Prominent attendees included Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, former governors El-Rufai and Amaechi, Dele Momodu, Senator Ireti Kingibe, among others.
