“You Can’t Hijack Democracy” — Kachikwu Faults Moves to Seize ADC Structure

ADC Presidential Candidate Faults Party Takeover, Warns Against Political Hijack
The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has strongly condemned what he described as an attempted takeover of the party by influential political figures, warning that such actions amount to “political suicide” and a betrayal of the party’s founding ideals.

Speaking at a world press conference in Abuja, Kachikwu reacted to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to no longer recognize the caretaker committee led by David Mark, pending the resolution of ongoing court cases.
According to him, the development highlights the risks associated with “backdoor” political maneuvers within the party.
Kachikwu further alleged that certain political actors, who had previously sought to register other parties, including the SDP, later moved into the ADC in pursuit of personal interests, rather than genuine commitment to ideology or public service.
“These are men with no belief system, standing for nothing, believing only in the notion that power is their birthright,” he said.
He also warned against plans to impose high nomination fees and manipulate party structures, describing such moves as deliberate attempts to sideline grassroots members and disenfranchise ordinary Nigerians.
Kachikwu noted that the proposed sale of nomination forms at inflated prices would effectively shut out less privileged citizens from participating in the party’s processes.
He added that the ongoing legal disputes—likely to be decided up to the Supreme Court—will ultimately determine the leadership of the party, but cautioned that the alleged hijack attempts threaten internal democracy within the ADC.
Reassuring supporters, Kachikwu maintained that the party’s vision remains intact and urged Nigerians not to lose hope, pointing out that alternative political platforms such as the PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, AA, AAC, SDP, among others, are still available.
“The actions of these men have rendered political aspirations through the ADC a nonstarter, but you can fool man, not God,” he said. “God will win.”
The former ADC presidential candidate also called on Nigerians and party loyalists to remain vigilant, stressing the need for ideology, transparency, and grassroots participation in the country’s political process.