The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has strongly rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recognition of former Senate President David Mark as the party’s national chairman.
Kachikwu described the electoral body’s action as “irresponsible,” adding that it further reinforced his lack of confidence in INEC’s current leadership.
“Nigerians as a whole know that the David Mark-led faction of the ADC is on borrowed time. What we saw from the INEC chairman yesterday was another irresponsible act from the outgoing chairman of INEC,” Kachikwu said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.
He argued that it was wrong for INEC to take such a step while cases involving the party’s leadership tussle remain before the courts.
“It is a norm that when you have cases in court, you respect those cases and avoid actions that could influence their outcomes. The courts will sit on our matter with David Mark and others next month, and Nigerians will see the rulings,” he added.
Criticism of Recycled Politicians
Kachikwu further accused Nigeria’s political elite of recycling failed leaders, stressing that such individuals were responsible for the country’s decline.
“If these so-called coalition leaders had done well in the past, Nigerians today would not be complaining. The reason many Nigerians see this country as a failed nation is because these same people failed,” he said.
He argued that those now positioning themselves as saviors were the same ones who had contributed to Nigeria’s problems.
“These are people who cannot survive outside politics. Their only goal is to return to office, feather their nests, and take care of their families and friends. They cannot rebuild the very nation they destroyed,” Kachikwu added.
On Joining the Mark-Led Coalition
When asked why he refused to join forces with the Mark-led ADC, Kachikwu dismissed the idea:
“Are you saying that in a country of over 200 million people, it is only a handful of former this and former that who can mount a rescue mission? My generation and those after us also have something valuable to offer. Nigerians with the capacity to save this country exist outside this circle of recycled politicians.”
INEC’s Position
INEC had on July 2, 2025, officially recognized David Mark as ADC’s national chairman, alongside former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary. The announcement followed the unveiling of a coalition of opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Dino Melaye, Solomon Dalong, Dele Momodu, and others.
ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi defended the recognition, urging dissenting members to approach the courts. He also clarified that no injunction had been granted against Mark or Aregbesola by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to Abdullahi, Justice Emeka Nwite had on September 4, 2025, refused an ex parte application seeking to restrain the new leaders. Instead, the court directed that the defendants be notified and ordered to appear on September 15 to show cause.
He accused opponents of spreading misinformation:
“Having failed to stop INEC from acknowledging the leadership change, these political jobbers are now resorting to fake news. This desperation only shows how far they are willing to go to destabilize and undermine opposition parties.”
