Kachikwu Accuses David Mark-Led ADC Faction of Plot to Hand Atiku 2027 Presidential Ticket

Dumebi Kachikwu, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has accused a faction of the party led by former Senate President David Mark of scheming to impose former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the coalition’s presidential candidate for 2027.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Kachikwu claimed that during a private meeting, members of the group made it clear that their ultimate goal was to “take back power” in 2027—an agenda he described as premeditated and designed to marginalize southern presidential hopefuls.

“This coalition was built with the sole aim of producing Atiku Abubakar as its 2027 flag bearer—that is the absolute truth,” Kachikwu said. He challenged the coalition leaders to publicly affirm a commitment to zoning the 2027 presidential ticket to the South if their plans were truly inclusive and equitable.

The newly formed opposition alliance—unveiled on March 20 in Abuja—has stirred widespread national discussion. Prominent figures such as Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi are associated with the coalition. While most have yet to formally register with the ADC, they have pledged allegiance to the party, which now has David Mark serving as interim national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, following the exit of former chairman Ralph Nwosu and other top officials.

In a statement on Wednesday, Kachikwu accused the coalition of forcefully taking control of the ADC without a defined roadmap for the party’s future. Reflecting on his interactions with coalition members, he recounted:

“Late last year, they approached me about joining the coalition. I reluctantly agreed to a meeting earlier this year, persuaded by a close associate. Present were former ministers and top officials from past administrations. Their entire focus was on how Tinubu’s administration had failed Nigeria. But I raised one critical issue—zoning.”

According to Kachikwu, when he asked whether the coalition would support a southern presidential candidate in 2027, given that President Muhammadu Buhari served eight years and President Bola Tinubu is still in his first term, the response was swift and dismissive.

“They said, ‘We are taking our power back.’ That ended the conversation for me,” he said.

Kachikwu, who finished fifth in the 2023 presidential election, expressed frustration at being implicitly asked to shelve his ambition in favour of a northern candidate.

“That confirmed my fear—the coalition is simply a political vehicle to further Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 bid. Today, I challenge them: if you genuinely believe in justice, unity, and fairness, publicly commit to zoning the presidential ticket to the South. Until then, your motives remain questionable,” he stated.

His comments come amid mounting friction within the opposition bloc, as questions of leadership, vision, and regional representation continue to threaten cohesion in the effort to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.