ADC crisis: Kachikwu, state chairmen back court verdict, warn against party hijack
A former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Dumebi Kachikwu, and the party’s state chairmen on Wednesday hailed the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja nullifying congresses conducted by a faction within the party.
A former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Dumebi Kachikwu, and the party’s state chairmen on Wednesday hailed the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja nullifying congresses conducted by a faction within the party.
They made the commendation at a press conference in Abuja, shortly after the court voided the congresses and convention organised by the faction led by former Senate President, David Mark.
Earlier, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising or participating in any congress organised by a disputed caretaker leadership of the party.
The court also barred Mark and others from interfering with the functions of elected state executives, affirming that only constitutionally recognised organs of the party could conduct congresses.
The suit was filed by Norman Obinna and six others on behalf of ADC state chairmen and executive committees.
Reacting, Kachikwu backed the judgment, saying it was long overdue.
He said, “I had long warned that the ADC is not for sale and that these political buccaneers would be shown the way out through the same back door they came in from.
“With this judgment, it has become clear that these desperados who attempted to hijack our party have failed woefully. We are aware that they are shopping for other parties to destroy and wish them bon voyage.
“To our party faithful, I urge you to remain vigilant. The battle is not over till it is over. The ADC will be on next year’s ballot, and any Nigerian who genuinely desires to salvage Nigeria should see the ADC as a ready home. We shall overcome.”
Also speaking, Chairman of the ADC State Chairmen, Kingsley Oggah, described the judgment as a relief and a validation of their position.
“We see today’s court judgment as a blessing because what we have been fighting for has been resolved. We don’t want this party to die because we have laboured so much and spent time that can’t be quantified building it.
“But a few people, because of their selfish interest, are trying so hard to destroy the ADC. That is what we will not accept. It is also the main reason we are fighting to keep the party together.
“We don’t want to lose this party. If we cannot get our acts together, we can’t field candidates in the next election, and INEC has threatened that if we cannot win elections, the party will be deregistered. So, should we fold our arms and watch helplessly?”
The judgment is the latest development in the leadership crisis rocking the ADC.
