- Kachikwu insisted that a southern candidate must emerge if coalition plans with Atiku are to continue.
- The ADC flagbearer accused Mark and Aregbesola of being imposed by a faction loyal to Raph Nwosu.
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the 2023 election, Dumebi Kachikwu, has rejected the appointment of the former senate president, David Mark, as national chairman and the former minister of interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as national secretary of the party.
Kachikwu made this known on Thursday during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.
He claimed that the appointments were made by a faction of the party led by Raph Nwosu.
According to him, the Nwosu-led executive installed Mark and Aregbesola as interim chairman and secretary, respectively.
The development is coming after the adoption of the ADC as the platform of a newly formed opposition coalition.
Reacting to the situation, Kachikwu said it was a betrayal of Nigerians for Atiku, Mark, and Aregbesola to front the coalition.
“INEC should come out and name ADC’s original executives,” he demanded.
“It is a disservice to ordinary Nigerians and party members to refer to David Mark as the ADC party chairman.
“He is not, he cannot be. The people coming through the back doors cannot take over our party,” he warned.
“We will not give up our party to these parties, no matter the blackmail against me or my family.”
Kachikwu insisted that if there must be a coalition within the ADC, then the south must produce the presidential candidate via a primary against Atiku.
He emphasised that old politicians must give way for a younger generation to lead the country.
He stressed that the ADC has always been associated with integrity and not the class of politicians who lack credibility.
He added that many of those now trying to hijack the ADC are notorious for jumping from one party to another for selfish gain.