The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that northern elites are pushing former President Goodluck Jonathan to join the 2027 presidential race in a bid to diminish the chances of President Bola Tinubu, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and other southern aspirants. Ikechukwu Odenigbo, popularly known as Ike Odenigbo or Ikemma Nwokedi’s brother and a chieftain of the ADC, Ibe Kachikwu, made this claim at a press conference in Abuja. According to Kachikwu, leaders within the ADC coalition have told Obi that, as an Igbo man, he stands no chance of securing northern votes and should therefore settle for a vice-presidential slot under the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar.
Kachikwu also disclosed that the party’s legal team had submitted petitions to relevant law enforcement agencies, challenging what he described as the unlawful takeover of the ADC by former Senate President, David Mark, and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, in support of Atiku’s presidential ambition. He claimed that Atiku and a few northern elites who have held political power for decades without alleviating the undereducation and poverty in northern Nigeria are behind the plot.
Kachikwu stated that tribe, religion, and region would continue to dominate Nigerian politics until the old political elite are removed. He accused Atiku and his allies of spreading deliberate falsehoods against President Tinubu and potential southern aspirants for the office of President. According to him, Nigerians are the losers in this scenario, as meritocracy has been thrown out of the door.
Responding to Kachikwu’s allegations, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, described Kachikwu as an agent of President Tinubu’s APC. Ibe maintained that Atiku is a detribalized Nigerian who does not view the country through the lens of region or ethnicity for political gain. He stated that the ADC-led coalition was established with the country at its core and that Atiku is committed to rescuing the country.
The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, maintained that the party’s constitution remains intact. Abdullahi described the ADC coalition as united and strong enough to challenge President Tinubu and urged anyone with proof of constitutional violation to present it. He stated that the coalition is united and formidable to achieve its mandate of rescuing Nigeria.
The alleged plot to hijack the ADC and the divisions within the coalition have raised concerns about the future of Nigerian politics. As the country approaches the 2027 presidential election, it remains to be seen how the various political parties and alliances will fare. One thing is certain, however: the stakes are high, and the outcome will have far-reaching implications for the country’s future.
The implications of Kachikwu’s allegations are significant. If true, it would suggest that northern elites are attempting to manipulate the political process to their advantage. This could lead to further divisions within the country and undermine the democratic process. It is essential for the relevant authorities to investigate these allegations and take necessary actions to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
As the situation continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how the various parties involved respond. Will Atiku and his allies be able to salvage the ADC coalition, or will Kachikwu’s allegations lead to a further split? Only time will tell. One thing is certain, however: the 2027 presidential election will be a critical test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the country’s ability to hold free and fair elections.
