The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over what he described as the “irresponsible” recognition of a factional leadership of the party allegedly led by former Senate President, Senator David Mark.
Kachikwu, who spoke on Thursday night during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, denounced the electoral body’s action.
He cited ongoing court proceedings that challenge the legitimacy of the David Mark-led group.
He accused the INEC Chairman of compromising the institution’s neutrality and aiding an attempted hijack of the ADC by entrenched political elites.
He said , “One of Nigeria’s greatest mistakes was allowing Mahmood Yakubu to remain in office.
“INEC has no business recognising a faction when the matter is still before the courts.”
He vowed to resist what he described as a backdoor takeover of the ADC by “failed politicians” who, according to him, have collectively misruled Nigeria for nearly three decades.
He said, “The likes of Senator David Mark and his co-travellers cannot rescue a country they helped destroy and set on fire.
“They have nothing outside politics to feed on, which is why they are desperate to return to power.”
Kachikwu questioned why political figures like David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Rotimi Amaechi, all former top government officials, were not attempting to reform their previous parties, but instead targeting the ADC “for selfish interests.”
He further referenced an ongoing court case involving Hon. Leke Abejide, a serving lawmaker from Kogi State, as evidence of unresolved internal disputes within the ADC that should preclude any recognition of new leadership by INEC.
Calling for public vigilance, Kachikwu warned that the complacency of the Nigerian populace was being exploited by a political class desperate to retain control.
He said, “If Nigerians don’t rise up, these same set of people will continue to dominate and control the political space.
“We risk witnessing unrest worse than what recently happened in Nepal if we continue this way.”
In response to allegations that he is being used by President Bola Tinubu to destabilise the opposition, Kachikwu dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
He concluded the interview with a passionate appeal to Nigerian youths, warning that their future was being mortgaged by “greedy and selfish politicians.”
“Enough is enough. We must take our country back from those who have nothing new to offer,” he said.
