A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dumebi Kachikwu, has accused opposition politicians of hijacking the party’s structure to support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential ambition.
Kachikwu, who made the allegation on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, claimed the ADC-led coalition launched earlier this month was never a genuine alliance but a political vehicle designed to favour Atiku.
Earlier in July, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, joined other opposition figures to unveil the coalition under the ADC banner as a platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress in the next general election.
However, barely two days after the launch, Obi declared his intention to run for president in 2027, despite still holding the Labour Party membership card.
Reacting, Kachikwu said Obi has since realised the coalition is skewed in favour of Atiku and is now reconsidering his involvement.
He said, “The whole ADC structure is being packaged for the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“Since I started warning people about what is happening, we can see what is happening within the coalition.
“Someone like Mr Peter Obi now understands that the whole coalition was packaged for Atiku Abubakar.
“From our understanding, what we are seeing now is that he is looking in other directions, and other people who aspire to run now realise that the coalition was indeed no coalition.
“It was just a vehicle for Atiku Abubakar’s ambition.”
Kachikwu, who has consistently criticised the direction of the coalition, maintained that the ADC would not be allowed to serve Atiku’s presidential bid.
He added, “The 2027 election will not give room for class exploitation by political leaders.”
The ADC chieftain also vowed to work against the plans of politicians he accused of manipulating the political process, promising to enlighten Nigerians on their rights and political power.
“I will ensure that Nigerians are informed and educated about their political power as citizens,” Kachikwu said.
