The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has raised serious concerns about the current direction of the ADC-led opposition coalition. He alleged that Peter Obi, a key political figure in the coalition, is now reconsidering his involvement, as the coalition appears to be increasingly aligned with the political agenda of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking during a live appearance on Sunday Politics, a programme aired on Channels Television, Kachikwu accused the coalition of being strategically manipulated in favour of Atiku’s 2027 presidential ambition. He warned that what was initially created as a unifying political platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has now been turned into a partisan vehicle to promote Atiku’s candidacy.
“The whole ADC structure is being packaged for the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,” Kachikwu said. “Since I started warning people about what is happening, we can now see that someone like Mr. Peter Obi understands that the coalition was packaged for Atiku. From our understanding, he is looking in other directions.”
According to him, Peter Obi, along with other disillusioned political hopefuls, has begun to realize that the coalition lacks true inclusiveness. Kachikwu claimed the structure is no longer focused on democratic values or collective leadership but instead designed to serve the ambitions of a select political elite.
Kachikwu, who has consistently spoken out against the internal politics within the ADC, further reiterated his stance that the party should not become a platform for elite domination. He accused Atiku and other influential political actors of trying to hijack the coalition to maintain power and influence in the next election cycle.
“I have repeatedly warned that the ADC is being used to serve narrow political goals. The 2027 elections will not give room for political leaders to exploit Nigerians,” he stressed.
He pledged to continue using his platform to resist what he described as “class exploitation” and political manipulation. “I will do everything within my power to inform and educate the people about their rights and the political manipulation being orchestrated under the guise of a coalition,” Kachikwu concluded.