₦airaland Forum

The Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the 2023 elections, Dumebi Kachikwu has stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission was “irresponsible” to recognise the leadership of former Senator David Mark as the party’s national Chairman.

He made the statement on Thursday while the Politics Today programme aired on Channels Television.

The PUNCH reports that INEC had on Wednesday officially recognised David Mark as the party’s National Chairman, with Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the National Secretary, and Dr. Ibrahim Mani as National Treasurer, among others.

Kachikwu, however, argued that the new leadership was on “borrowed time”, noting that the recognition given by the outgoing INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, was irresponsible.

“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.

“It is a norm that when you have cases that are in court, you respect those cases that are in court, and you shouldn’t do anything that will affect the outcomes of those cases.

The courts are sitting on our matter with David Mark and co next month, and Nigerians will see the rulings after the courts sit,” he stated.

The former presidential candidate also stated that he didn’t believe that the coalition had anything new to offer Nigerians, as all of the coalition members were former government officials who failed to provide good leadership during their time in office.

“If they (coalition) had leadership that we could look to and say these guys did well for Nigeria, Nigerians today would not be complaining.

“Nigerians today will not be saying that this country is a failed nation, but the reason why they are saying that Nigeria is a failed nation is because these guys all failed,” he said.

“So, what are they trying to do? Which nation are they trying to rebuild? Nation that they destroyed? Absolutely not!. These guys are people who cannot stay outside of political office, who don’t have anything that they do for a living, and the only thing they need to do is to come back to political office so that they can start feathering their nest again and taking care of their friends and family,” he added.

Asked whether he would join forces with the ADC led by Mark to reform the party, and present a strong opposition at the 2027 polls, Kachikwu said,

“Are you saying that my generation, your generation, the generation after us, don’t have anything worthwhile to offer in service to the fatherland? I believe we have Nigerians who have got what it takes to save this country.”

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the last general election, Dumebi Kachikwu, has suggested that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, gave a parting ‘shot’ at President Bola Tinubu by recognizing the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC. Kachikwu specifically stated that he knew that the INEC chairman was going to give the President ‘a big middle finger’ to show his displeasure towards the president.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday, Kachikwu argued that Yakubu should not have made pronouncements concerning the ADC while several cases involving the party were still pending in court.

The statement comes after the INEC on Thursday gave its backing to the David Mark led ADC’s leadership, publishing their names on the Commission’s portal. However, Kachikwu criticised Yakubu, describing him as the worst and biggest mistakes Nigeria had ever made as a country.

He said: “And I believe in the Nigerian judiciary. I believe that ultimately they will decide the outcome of this case.

“I have never had any faith in the INEC Chairman’s ability to do anything concerning this, because it’s one of the worst, the biggest mistakes we’ve made as a country. I’m glad that he’s leaving, but we know that the court will ultimately decide and will see the outcome.

“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything otherwise. I knew that, as the chairman was leaving, I knew that he was going to give the President a big middle finger and he was going to do anything to show his displeasure towards the president.

“And that’s what he did. I’ve said this. I knew that this was what he was going to do, and he did it. Of course, he waited just a few weeks before leaving so he could do it. And then, I mean, of course, no remorse, nothing anybody can say to him. But he’s gone.

“And again, you will see the politics in Nigeria. I mean, when people have had dealings and have things that they have done that they are hiding, nobody who can afford to say anything to him because they can’t afford to expose each other. And so, he has done what he has done.

“Unfortunately, my party, the party of Nigerians who are trying to see how they can rebuild Nigeria, we are the victims here. And when two elephants are fighting, the grass is the victim.”

“It is a norm that when you have cases that are in court, you respect those cases that are in court, and you shouldn’t do anything that will affect the outcomes of those cases.

The courts are sitting on our matter with David Mark and co next month, and Nigerians will see the rulings after the courts sit,” he stated.

fergie001:
He should approach the courts.

Life isn't hard, moreover, he has been expelled from the Party and is already at the Supreme Court for that.

TimeManager:
True talk, Yakubu goofed. LP's Chairmanship tussle went to the courts all through to the Supreme Court and INEC never tampered with the list. Why recognize a faction when the matter is still in court?.

-Kiss the truth!

ibechris:
How would this one win In court.

U were expelled by the party because of anti party activities now u are claiming to fight those who have been given the mantle to carry the party along.

Kachukwu rest jor.

TimeManager:
True talk, Yakubu goofed. LP's Chairmanship tussle went to the courts all through to the Supreme Court and INEC never tampered with the list. Why recognize a faction when the matter is still in court?.

-Kiss the truth!

Putindbutt:
dey play, another factional Chairman, Nafiu had dragged them to court. Was he also expelled?

Putindbutt:
The matter is in court already, those party hijackers cannot bribe their way through INEC.

Pakute:
https://punchng.com/kachikwu-slams-inec-over-recognition-of-david-marks-adc/

Putindbutt:
dey play, another factional Chairman, Nafiu had dragged them to court. Was he also expelled?

SmartPolician:
Oga, go and sit down. For your mind now you fit win presidential election in Nigeria.

tnerro1:
Another APC mole in another party, using his turn to cash out

fergie001:
It's intra-party affairs, the Court has no jurisdiction to interfere.
The Supreme Court has said that many times, it will come to nought as expected.

ibechris:
Go and read about Kachukwu...he was a former presidential candidate who was expelled before the election...