The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has strongly criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of undermining the principle of equity and fairness in the country’s power rotation, particularly concerning the South.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Kachikwu lambasted Atiku’s reported ambition to contest the 2027 presidency under the ADC platform, saying it reflects his lack of belief in the right of southern Nigerians to occupy the nation’s highest office.

“Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a man whose antecedents clearly show he doesn’t believe anyone from the southern part of Nigeria is deserving of being president, is orchestrating this charade for personal benefit,” Kachikwu said.

He accused Atiku of historically opposing the emergence of southern leaders, citing the attempt to derail President Obasanjo’s second term, opposition to Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency, and his refusal to step aside after President Buhari’s two northern-led terms.

Kachikwu further challenged Atiku to publicly endorse the idea of a southern presidency for the next six years if he truly believes in a united and equitable Nigeria.

“If the former vice president says my assertions are not true and that all he wants is a better Nigeria, I challenge him today to declare that equity demands that the presidency should stay in the South for another six years. He can then support any southern candidate of his choice. He will never do this,” he said.

On attempts to hijack the ADC

Kachikwu warned of what he described as a “political gang” masquerading as a coalition attempting to hijack the ADC, alleging that some individuals are offering as much as ₦20 million to state party chairmen to resign and make way for Atiku-aligned interests.

“They, with the active support of their cohorts in the media, now say they are the ADC: they are not. I can call myself the president of America till I am blue in the face, but it doesn’t make it so. They are offering some of the state chairmen as much as N20,000,000 to resign their positions, which goes to show that their intentions are not honourable.”

“They are truly on a rescue mission, but a mission to rescue themselves from the harsh economic realities they created for our nation. Your money will get you nowhere in the ADC,” he said.

He insisted that the group’s actions are a fraudulent attempt to deceive Nigerians, including former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, into believing that Atiku is the only viable path to electoral victory.

“They are staging fake defections across the country. This is the typical strategy mesh of old politicians, we have had enough of it.”

Defending his position

Kachikwu dismissed accusations that he is a proxy for President Tinubu, stating that while it would be an “honour” to speak for Nigeria’s president, he has no such affiliation.

He also refuted claims that his criticism lacks weight because he is not a party official.

“Every member of our party, no matter how poor you people have made them, has a say in the ADC,” he fired back.

ADC not for sale

Reiterating the party’s commitment to fresh leadership and ideas, Kachikwu said the ADC is not an “old people’s home”, and is not for sale to political actors seeking relevance.

“This current political war is the war of the old for the old—it is not our fight. In the ADC, Nigeria and Nigerians will always remain our objective,” he declared.

The fiery statement comes amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several figures positioning themselves for influence within newer or alternative platforms like the ADC.