Former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has alleged a plot by political elites to take over the party, as he criticised the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the lingering leadership crisis.
INEC had stated that it would not recognise any faction within the ADC until all pending court cases are concluded.
Reacting to the development during a press conference in Abuja, Kachikwu said the action had triggered widespread reactions, raising concerns over the state of the party and its future.
He traced the crisis to the tenure of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, which he said ended on August 21, 2022, in line with court rulings.
Kachikwu alleged that a group of former political office holders moved into the party after failing to secure other platforms, accusing them of lacking ideological direction.
According to him, the group had earlier attempted to float a new political platform and later moved to the Social Democratic Party before turning to the ADC.
“They move from one political party to another with no ideology or belief system, driven only by the notion that power is their birthright,” he said.
He questioned the motive behind the move, noting that several other political parties exist without legal disputes.
The former presidential candidate warned that the crisis could affect aspirants seeking to contest the 2027 general elections on the platform of the party.
“What is happening has effectively made political aspirations within the ADC a non-starter for now,” he said.
Kachikwu dismissed concerns that Nigeria was drifting toward a one-party state, listing opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party and others as still active.
He also alleged plans to increase the cost of nomination forms from ₦50,000 to ₦500,000, a move he said would exclude grassroots members from participation.
“They claim to represent the masses, yet they cannot operate in a party where ordinary Nigerians hold sway,” he added.
Kachikwu further suggested that the situation could be part of a broader political strategy, alleging that Nigerians were being misled.
On INEC’s position, he questioned why the commission appeared to rely on court processes in the current instance, despite previous rulings on the ADC leadership not being enforced.
“Why are we discussing the resignation of a leadership that, by law, ceased to exist in 2022? You cannot build something on nothing,” he said.
He also raised concerns over what he described as inconsistencies in the commission’s actions regarding recognition of party leadership.
Responding to claims of political alignment, Kachikwu denied backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, instead accusing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his associates of undermining the ADC.
“They came into the party to stop people like me from contesting,” he said.
Kachikwu maintained that he remains committed to pursuing his political ambition on the ADC platform despite the challenges.
“We will take things one day at a time and face the obstacles before us,” he said, expressing hope that the crisis would be resolved in the coming weeks.
He also called for stricter adherence to due process in party affairs, stressing the need for compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.