ADC Disowns Ex-Presidential Candidate Kachikwu, Says He Lacks Party Stake

|By Chinwendu Nwani

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that its 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, is no longer a member of the party and has no authority to speak on its leadership affairs.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, told journalists on Saturday in Abuja that Kachikwu had no stake in the current leadership structure.

Kachikwu had on Thursday berated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recognising David Mark as ADC national chairman, branding the electoral body “irresponsible” and unworthy of trust.

But Abdullahi dismissed his comments, stressing that contesting on the party’s platform in one election did not give Kachikwu permanent ownership or influence.

“He had no business in this conversation. He is not even a member of the ADC,” Abdullahi said. “A one-time presidential candidate of any party does not own the party. He does not have a say in the direction of the party.”

The ADC spokesman further faulted Kachikwu’s “divisive rhetoric,” particularly his remarks describing the party’s leadership as “old people.”

Abdullahi maintained that the ADC remains focused, even as it braces for what he described as attempts by external forces to destabilise opposition coalitions.