ADC 2023 Presidential Candidate Kachikwu Rejects David Mark’s Appointment, Slams Coalition

African Democratic Congress (ADC) 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, issued a scathing response to the announcement of Senator David Mark as interim National Chairman.

In a statement titled “RE: David Mark Appointed as ADC Interim Chairman, My Response”, Kachikwu dismissed the announcement as a farce, accusing the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar-led coalition of staging an illegitimate takeover of the party’s national leadership.

“It is with the greatest amusement that I watched the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar-led group announce their takeover of the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress,” Kachikwu wrote, describing the move as a “dramedy.”

Kachikwu argued that the former ADC leadership under Ralph Nwosu had no legal standing, noting that Nwosu’s tenure expired in August 2022 and has since been mired in legal disputes.

“Can you build something on nothing? Can you shave a man’s hair in his absence?” Kachikwu asked rhetorically. “These yesterday’s men who represent a bad chapter in Nigeria’s past have bought bad market from a man who represents a bad chapter in ADC’s past.”

He accused the coalition, which reportedly includes former governors, ministers, and political figures, of seeking to hijack the party to continue what he described as their long-standing hold on Nigeria’s political and economic structures.

“Nigerians are tired of your generation and reject everything you have to offer which is nothing,” Kachikwu declared. “You are a bunch of greedy and selfish old men who believe that political power is your birthright.”

Kachikwu maintained that the ADC stands for fresh leadership and inclusive governance rooted in meritocracy, not political opportunism. He urged the Atiku-led group to follow proper procedures if they wish to be part of the party, warning that “we are a party of decent and well-behaved people.”

In a parting shot, he suggested the group would soon abandon the ADC for another platform: “As you do that, we, the members of the African Democratic Congress, wish you Bon Voyage.”

On Wednesday, opposition politicians formed a coalition to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress in 2027. The Opposition Movement which has the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party Presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha, and other notable figures unveiled the coalition vehicle today at Yar’dua centre, Abuja.