2027: Atiku Doesn’t Believe Anyone In The South Incl. Peter Obi Deserves to Be President – ADC Chieftain, Kachikwu

 

Dumebi Kachikwu, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has launched a scathing attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and others involved in what he describes as a political “gang” masquerading as a coalition. Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Kachikwu raised alarm over efforts to destabilise the ADC, accusing a group of politicians of pursuing selfish ambitions under the guise of national interest.

He expressed deep concern that some political actors, including Atiku, are attempting to take over the ADC through what he called underhanded tactics, such as financial inducements and misinformation campaigns. According to him, the scheme is not rooted in ideological conviction or public service, but in the pursuit of relevance and economic recovery by politicians who have lost their footing in mainstream politics.

“There is a lot of deliberate misinformation going on by these agents of destabilisation masquerading as a political coalition,” Kachikwu stated firmly. He drew a sharp line between what he termed a legitimate coalition and a political gang. The former, he argued, is driven by noble ideals, while the latter is driven by desperation and the need to maintain personal influence.

He accused the group of offering substantial bribes to ADC officials across the country, citing instances where up to 20 million naira was allegedly offered to state chairmen to resign from their positions. Kachikwu argued that such actions show a complete lack of integrity and are evidence that the actors involved are not interested in nation-building but in seizing control for personal gain.

Kachikwu did not stop at exposing the financial incentives allegedly being offered to party members. He went further to challenge claims made by members of the so-called coalition, particularly those questioning his role and authority within the ADC. A spokesperson for the group had reportedly dismissed Kachikwu as merely a former presidential candidate, implying he has no voice in party affairs.

Responding, Kachikwu insisted that membership in the party gives everyone a stake, regardless of position or socioeconomic background. He warned against elitist thinking that sidelines the voices of ordinary Nigerians and reasserted that every member of the ADC, from the grassroots to the national level, deserves to be heard.

He also took aim at events being organised by the group, where he claimed people were being paid to declare their defection to the ADC from other parties. These staged acts, Kachikwu said, were designed to create a false image of growing support for the hijackers of the party. He dismissed the strategy as outdated, warning that Nigerians are increasingly aware of the manipulative tactics of old-guard politicians.

In a particularly pointed section of his address, Kachikwu laid direct blame on Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of harboring long-standing opposition to southern leadership in Nigeria. He cited Atiku’s role in nearly blocking former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s bid for a second term, and his reluctance to support southern presidential aspirations in subsequent elections.

Kachikwu painted a picture of a political figure who consistently sees himself as the rightful occupant of the presidency, regardless of the region or political climate. He claimed that Atiku’s posturing against Goodluck Jonathan and his continued pursuit of the presidency after eight years of Northern rule under Muhammadu Buhari highlights a deeply rooted belief that no Southerner deserves the nation’s top job.

“They are truly on a rescue mission,” Kachikwu said, “but it is a mission to rescue themselves from the harsh economic realities which they themselves created for our nation.” He maintained that no amount of money or misinformation would allow these actors to assume leadership within the ADC, as the party’s constitution offers no shortcut for seizing control.

While addressing accusations that he is a paid spokesperson for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kachikwu dismissed them as false. However, he added that speaking for the president of the most populous black nation would be an honor, though that is not the role he plays.

He ended his address by encouraging Nigerians, especially the youth and disenfranchised, to reject the tactics of these power brokers. He warned that unless citizens rise against political deception and elite manipulation, the cycle of economic hardship and political instability will continue.

Kachikwu’s remarks have stirred discussion within political circles, drawing sharp lines between those who see him as defending democratic values within the ADC, and those who view his comments as controversial. What remains certain is that the battle over the soul of the ADC is far from over.