Dumebi Kachikwu, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of plotting to hijack the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Kachikwu made the claim during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, alleging that Atiku is using the recently announced opposition coalition to take over the ADC and position himself for another presidential run.
Recall that earlier this year, Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai, and ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi announced plans to unite under a coalition using the ADC as its political platform.
But Kachikwu, who led the ADC in the 2023 election, said the coalition is a smokescreen designed to install Atiku as the presidential flagbearer, with Peter Obi allegedly being pressured to accept a running mate role.
He further claimed that Atiku’s allies have been planted within the party’s leadership nationwide to quietly take control of ADC structures.
“I had warned that a group of mostly old former political officeholders were executing a carefully planned agenda to take over the ADC for Atiku’s 2027 ambition,” Kachikwu said.
He added that despite Atiku’s repeated calls for power to shift to the South, he “does not believe any southerner deserves the presidency.”
Kachikwu also warned Peter Obi and other opposition hopefuls to be cautious, saying they are being manipulated and used to pave the way for Atiku’s return.
The allegations come amid growing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections, with several opposition figures seeking to build a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).