Dumebi Kachikwu, who was the African Democratic Congress’s (ADC) 2023 presidential candidate, has announced plans to challenge in court the recent leadership “takeover” of the party by a coalition of defectors, whom he accuses of hijacking the ADC to benefit former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The shake‑up saw Senator David Mark installed as Interim National Chairman, with former ministers Rauf Aregbesola and Bolaji Abdullahi filling top roles.
At a press briefing in Abuja, flanked by seven ADC state chairmen, Kachikwu decried the move as a blatant power grab that sidelines the South from producing the party’s next presidential candidate in 2027. He revealed that coalition members openly declared their intent to “take power back,” and emphasized that he would not accept any arrangement falling short of equitable rotation.
Kachikwu confirmed that legal action is imminent, stating that his first move will be to file a petition with INEC, seeking clarity on the legitimate party chairman. If a leadership void is confirmed, he asserted, ADC’s elected state chairs—mandated through a 2022 convention—will reconvene a national congress to elect proper officers.
He also condemned INEC for previously endorsing parallel structures under former interim chair Ralph Nwosu, urging the commission to intervene now. Kachikwu described the coalition’s rushed appointment of its leaders—complete with newly issued party cards on site—as neither a merger nor a legitimate transition, but rather a “hijack”.
Despite his firm stance, Kachikwu acknowledged that if the coalition presented a genuine southern candidate through proper party channels, he would respect the process—but on his conditions: a legitimate primary and democratic validation.
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