Oluwatosin Ogunkolade
Mr Dumebi Kachikwu has emerged as the consensus presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election.
Kachikwu emerged at the party’s Special National Convention and Presidential Primary Election held on Sunday in Abuja.
The newly elected National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir, presented the party’s flag to Kachikwu at the convention.
The Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Benue State Chairman of the party, Mr Elias Adikwu, announced Kachikwu’s adoption, which was subsequently ratified by delegates at the convention.
Also elected at the convention were new members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
They include the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Kingsley Ogga; Deputy National Chairman, Johnny Tovie Derek; National Secretary, Kennedy O. Odion; and National Treasurer, Dr Joe Aroh.
Others are National Financial Secretary, Chief Amirigoye; National Legal Adviser, Dr Chris Ugwu; National Organising Secretary, Elias Adikwu; and National Chief Whip, Patrick Ambut.
The development comes amid lingering leadership disputes within the party.
Recall that the Sen. David Mark-led faction of the ADC held a national convention in Abuja on April 14, 2026, during which the former Senate President emerged as substantive National Chairman of the party.
The faction had also expelled some members, including factional chairman, Nafiu Bala, and Rep. Leke Abejide, over alleged anti-party activities.
Speaking at Sunday’s convention, Bashir called for unity and adherence to the party’s constitution and the laws of the country.
According to him, no individual is bigger than the party.
“The ADC is not a private enterprise. Political parties must operate within the framework of the law and democratic principles,” he said.
Bashir attributed the crisis within the party to attempts by some individuals to dominate the party’s leadership structure contrary to its constitution.
He appealed to aggrieved members to return to the fold and support efforts to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Bashir described Kachikwu as “an honest and intellectual person”, saying he first met him during the screening of presidential aspirants in Abuja.
“A good leader must carry the people along and work for togetherness. Politics is about dealing with all kinds of people – the good, the bad and the ugly,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Kachikwu said Nigeria was weighed down by insecurity, hardship and failed leadership.
“The realities facing Nigeria today are already well known. Ours is a nation weighed down by insecurity, hardship and failed leadership.
“But even though our leaders have taken us to the brink, we can still reverse course,” he said.
Kachikwu said his ambition was driven by the desire to restore hope to ordinary Nigerians.
“It is because of these people that I stand before you today to say: I accept your nomination to be the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress,” he said.
The ADC candidate also called for an end to politics based on ethnicity and religion, saying competence and character should define leadership in the country.
“We are not merely groups from the North or the South. We are citizens of one indivisible Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Kachikwu pledged to promote transparency and accountability in governance if elected president.
He said one of his first engagements with the National Assembly would be the presentation of a proposed “Bill of Equality and Fairness”.
According to him, the bill would ensure that public officials use the same public services available to ordinary Nigerians.
“If you serve in public office, your family should use the same public schools as the people.
“No private foreign hospitals while public hospitals collapse. No dependence on generators and boreholes while citizens suffer from poor electricity and water supply,” he said.
Kachikwu also said the 2027 election should be “a contest of ideas, not a contest of power”.
“It is no longer enough to speak about moving from consumption to production. Tell Nigerians what will be produced, where it will be produced and how long it will take,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the ADC Board of Trustees, Prof. Kingsley Ogga, described the convention as symbolic of the party’s resilience despite internal challenges.
“Today is proof that no matter the storm, a people united by vision can never be destroyed,” Ogga said.
He urged members to embrace unity, accountability and inclusiveness as the party seeks to reposition itself ahead of future elections.
