Atiku Accused Of Plot To Hijack ADC With ₦20m Bribes, As Kachikwu Demands Southern Candidate For 2027.
A deepening crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has erupted following explosive allegations by its 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, who claims that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is orchestrating a scheme to seize control of the party by offering state chairmen up to ₦20 million to resign. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Kachikwu described the move as a “political gang” operation, accusing Atiku and his allies of pursuing personal gain rather than national interest ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kachikwu alleged that Atiku, who recently resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is leading a coalition that includes prominent opposition figures such as Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark, and former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Nasir El-Rufai. The coalition, which has adopted the ADC as its platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, is accused of attempting to destabilise the party’s structure. “They are offering some state chairmen as much as ₦20 million to resign their positions, which shows their intentions are not honourable,” Kachikwu stated, insisting that such tactics violate the ADC’s constitution and will ultimately fail.
The ADC chieftain further accused Atiku of a history of opposing southern leadership, citing his alleged efforts to undermine former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as his refusal to support power rotation to the South after President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure. Kachikwu claimed Atiku is now manipulating Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, by suggesting only he can secure northern votes for a coalition victory. “This is most uncharitable,” Kachikwu said, challenging Atiku to publicly declare that equity demands the presidency remain in the South for another six years and to support a southern candidate.
Kachikwu, who came fifth in the 2023 presidential election with 78,930 votes, dismissed claims that he is a paid spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, calling such accusations a smear by “political jobbers.” He also alleged that the coalition is staging fraudulent events, paying Nigerians to claim they are defecting to the ADC, a tactic he described as “tired and deceitful.” The ADC, he insisted, is “not for sale” and remains a platform for “fresh faces, fresh ideals, and fresh ideas,” not a refuge for entrenched politicians.
The controversy follows the coalition’s appointment of David Mark as interim national chairman and Aregbesola as national secretary, moves Kachikwu claims are illegitimate due to the expired tenure of the ADC’s former leadership under Ralph Nwosu. Five state chairmen have initiated legal action in a Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the takeover, with Kachikwu vowing to pursue the matter further. Political analysts suggest the dispute could fracture the ADC, weakening its ability to present a united opposition front in 2027, while public sentiment on social media reflects outrage over the alleged bribery and calls for transparency in the party’s leadership struggle.
