Former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has condemned the recent convention held by a faction of the party, describing it as “political gangsterism” and a deliberate attempt to undermine the rule of law.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Kachikwu said the convention, allegedly led by a group associated with David Mark, was conducted in defiance of a subsisting court order issued by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to him, the court had directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of a suit involving ADC state chairmen, effectively halting any congresses or national convention.
“Despite this order, the nation witnessed these desperate politicians hold a convention in the name of the ADC, knowing same to have no locus before the law,” Kachikwu said. “Can men who continue to flout court orders mean well for the ADC or Nigeria? The simple answer is no.”
He accused the organisers of pursuing a destabilising agenda, warning that their actions could erode democratic order and trigger wider instability.
Kachikwu further criticised the convention as lacking substance, alleging that participants focused solely on attacking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling party without offering alternative policy ideas.
“At no point did they provide solutions or articulate what they would do differently. The role of the opposition is to present counter arguments and proposals, not engage in empty rhetoric,” he said.
The former ADC flagbearer also took aim at key opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, accusing them of failing to address critical national issues despite their political influence.
He alleged that some politicians were “playing politics with the blood of innocent Nigerians” in their quest for power, warning that Nigeria’s fragile state could not withstand further political instability.
“Nigeria is already weakened by years of insurgency, poor governance, and corruption. This nation is breaking at the seams and cannot afford institutional sabotage by the old political class,” he said.
Kachikwu insisted that the “real ADC” would proceed with its convention in line with legal provisions and would resist any attempt to hijack the party structure.
In a direct message to President Tinubu, he urged the administration to focus on unifying the country amid ongoing political tensions.
“You may have won the war, but you certainly haven’t won the peace,” Kachikwu said, warning that failure to galvanise Nigerians around common national interests could deepen divisions.
The ADC has recently been embroiled in internal leadership disputes, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s structure and direction.
