ADC’s Kachikwu: Coalition members enemies of Nigeria, will take country backward.
Dumebi Kachikwu, the African Democratic Congress’s (ADC) presidential candidate for 2023, has labelled members of the newly formed opposition alliance as “enemies of Nigeria” who are intended to drag the country backward.
Kachikwu questioned the political alliance, which just chose the ADC as its operational platform for the 2027 elections.
“They are enemies of Nigeria. They are opponents of progress. Nigerians can no longer be duped. Nigerians from all walks of life watched the video—I only saw it today—and what you saw in that hall were ‘former’ this and ‘former’ that: former Vice President, former governors, and former ministries. All these ‘formers’ are restoring Nigeria to its former splendour. “They’ve never taken us forward,” the former presidential contender said.
In a criticism, the ADC flagbearer regretted the cycle of leaders who, he claimed, had brought Nigeria to its current situation.
He stated, “These same people have ruled Nigeria for the past four decades.” Where are we as a country? We live in a country where 80% of the people is poor. And now they pretend to be the fire department, attempting to extinguish the fire they created.
Kachikwu described the alliance as dominated by senior politicians, stressing that the same figures who have long held power are still vying for leadership, while younger Nigerians are left out.
“Youths account for 70% of our population; where were they at that gathering? We noticed a bunch of geriatrics. Seventy percent of them are above 75 years old, and they claim to want to save Nigeria.
“These are political jobbers and career office holders. From 9 to 5, all they do is sit at home and whine about the government. That’s not opposition; it’s self-service.
“I weep for Nigerians.” I cry for my generation’s missed opportunity for leadership. The same individuals I grew up watching on television and reading about in the news are still in power—and they still want to be. They have nothing to offer. “We are living in a new age,” he stated.
Kachikwu condemned the coalition’s adoption of the ADC, accusing the group of hijacking the party through illegal means.
“The way in which they entered—through the back door—reveals who they are. They are people who use the back door. I don’t want viruses or bacteria to invade my gathering. “People who destroyed Nigeria cannot claim to be the ones to rebuild it,” he stated.He disputed any validity for the coalition’s efforts, claiming that the party now lacks a recognised national chairman.
“Anyone who sincerely wants to join the ADC should be aware that Ralph Nwosu’s term ended two years ago. He has no mandate, business, or power to join a coalition on our behalf.
“My party’s constitution is clear. To occupy any position in the ADC, you must be a member for at least two years.
“There has been no convention to modify that. How are they now claiming to be the interim chairman and secretary while announcing that everyone has resigned? “That’s completely fraudulent,” he replied.
Kachikwu also stated that he and other members will write to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for clarity.
“To make things easier for Nigerians, we will be communicating with INEC.” If INEC declares that a man who left the party 18 years ago and whose tenure expired two years ago is now chairman, I will graciously leave the party. “I’ll also stop speaking out against this coalition,” the ADC chairman stated.
In a previous statement on Wednesday, the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate derided the opposition coalition’s announcement, saying he watched with “the greatest amusement” as Atiku and his friends declared a takeover of the party leadership.
He slammed them as “yesterday’s men,” claiming that Nigerians want new faces and ideas rather than recycled leaders.
Coalition Meeting
A combination of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola
Earlier in the day, members of the opposition coalition gathered at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja to announce the ADC as the new platform for their combined political activity.
Following Ralph Nwosu’s departure, former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola were appointed interim national chairman and secretary, respectively.
The conference was attended by Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (Labour Party), former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, Dele Momodu, Senator Ireti Kingibe, and others from the PDP, SDP, and LP.
The group intends to form a united opposition to the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.