Dumebi Kachikwu, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 election, has responded to the adoption of the party by the opposition coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and others.

During their meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the coalition announced ADC as their platform to contest against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. They also named former Senate President David Mark as interim national chairman of ADC, while former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola was appointed interim national secretary.

Reacting to this in a statement, Kachikwu said he finds the coalition’s claimed takeover of ADC amusing.

He noted that the coalition is working with the former leadership of ADC led by Ralph Nwosu, whose tenure, he said, expired on August 21, 2022.

Kachikwu criticised the coalition members, describing them as part of a troubled era in Nigeria’s past. He said if they are interested in joining ADC, they must follow the proper process.

In his words: “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. As is expected, I have been inundated with a lot of calls and messages seeking my reaction to the unfolding dramedy.”

He added: “The facts of the matter are as follows: The Atiku-led group is in some form of alliance with the former leadership of the party led by Ralph Nwosu. The tenure of the Nwosu-led executive lapsed on August 21, 2022, and his continued parade of himself as the chairman of the party was the subject of various litigations in different courts across the country.”

Kachikwu questioned the legality of the coalition’s actions, saying: “From the foregoing, I want to then pose the following questions: Can you build something on nothing? Can you shave a man’s hair in his absence? Can you enter a man’s house through the back door and declare yourself the landlord? 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 said Nigerians are watching as these politicians, whom he described as mostly aged, continue their search for a political platform to pursue their ambitions.

“This further cements the opinion most hold that political parties in Nigeria stand for nothing and will fall for anything. They have told us that they are fighting for the rights of ordinary Nigerians and that they are on a rescue mission but what is confusing to the Nigerians they want to rescue is that these men made up of a former vice president, former governors, ministers and political office holders are the same people who have presided over the affairs of this nation for the past four decades.”

According to Kachikwu, Nigeria has little to show for the leadership provided by these individuals over the years.

“We have nothing to show for their decades of leadership other than being seen as a nation divided by tribe and religion and thriving in mediocrity. We are a nation lacking in the basics, whose majority are poor, but here we are watching those who set our nation on fire saying they are the fire brigade.”

He added: “No, you are not; you are a bunch of greedy and selfish old men who believe that political power is your birthright. You stand for nothing other than your interests and will pay any price to hold political office.”

Kachikwu stated that Nigerians have had enough of such leadership.

“Nigerians are tired of your generation and reject everything you have to offer, which is nothing. Nigerians yearn for new names, new faces, fresh ideas, and progressive ideals.”

He said Nigerians desire a nation where merit, not tribe or religion, determines opportunities.

“We yearn for a new Nigeria that thrives on meritocracy and deemphasises tribe and religion. We dream of a nation that works for all Nigerians irrespective of region or religion. We want a nation whose laws and opportunities are equal to all men. We desire inclusiveness for all and social protections for the weak amongst us. Nigerians have never asked for much other than a leadership that truly cares. You have failed us and stand rejected by us.”

He urged the coalition members to follow due process if they wish to join ADC.

“If you seek to be a part of the ADC, do the proper thing and come through the front door. We are a party of decent and well-behaved people. Our brand of opposition is one that not only opposes but also proposes, something that your group is not conversant with.”

Kachikwu concluded by suggesting that the coalition will likely continue seeking a political platform elsewhere.

“I strongly suspect that you will be shopping for another party very soon, and as you do that, we, the members of the African Democratic Congress, wish you Bon Voyage. Thank you and God bless.”