The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has endorsed the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, as its presidential candidate for the 2023 general electionsThe faction also endorsed Datti Baba-Ahmed, Obi’s running mate, as its vice-presidential candidate for the election slated for Saturday.
The party made this known at an Endorsement World Conference held in Abuja on Monday.
Groups like the Nigeria Mothers for Good Governance; Fulani United; Nigeria Artisans; League of Imams; Nigeria Traders; Yoruba United; Mega Political Coalition; Kanuris United and the Nigeria Legions United among others joined the party in solidarity.
The event was attended by prominent leaders like the former ADC National Chairman, Chief Raphael Nwosu, Dr Mani Ibrahim Ahmed, and Prof Pat Utomi.
However, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the ADC, Senator Patricia Akwashiki, issued a statement immediately to disown the endorsement.
Akwashiki said, “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dissociated itself from the purported endorsement of other political parties and their candidates for 2023 by a faction of the party.
“The alleged endorsement is fraudulent, void, and of no effect, since it was being carried by a faction of the party not known to law for pecuniary gains.”
Akwashiki accused “the faction of the Party, led by its immediate past National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu for anti-party activity.”
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Utomi, nevertheless, told journalists that there was no confusion.
He said, “When the BoT and the leadership of the party, duly take an action, no other group can disown it.
“The BoT and the executive of the party are united, and they had endorsed Peter Obi. The will of the majority has prevailed.”
Also the controversial Chairman of the party, Ralph Nwosu said Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed have qualities and values which qualified them for the endorsement.
He denied being sacked by the court and insisted that he remained the authentic chairman since he had appealed the verdict that removed him as Chairman.
He said, “While we are running around to make the party strong, Dumebi Kachikwu got some disgruntled state party chairmen and went to the court to get a judgement. We have appealed the judgement and we are positive that the appeal would be in our favour.
“Apart from that, the INEC has asked us to conduct a convention and we did. Dumebi Kachikwu is an amateur. We gave him a ticket and he misused it. Where is his campaign office? Have you ever seen any branded vehicle belonging to Dumebi Kachikwu presidential bid?
“By Saturday, the job he came to do in ADC would end. The ADC presidential candidate that he has, would end and he would become an average Nigerian.”
But Akwashiki in her statement insisted that Nwosu has no right to carry out any action on behalf of the ADC.
She said, “Nwosu’s faction has allegedly divided itself into three groups which are now illegally engaged in endorsing parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) for 2023 general elections.”
She warned those involved in the act to desist or face the full wrath of the law.
She insisted that Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu remained the ADC Presidential Candidate for the 2023 general elections.
She said, “They have divided themselves into three groups and collected money from APC, PDP, and Labour Party. One party, three endorsements within the space of four days.”
Akwashiki alleged that those who did the endorsements were ‘impostors’ and ‘impersonators’.
She said, “They were no longer members of the party and therefore has nothing to do with the authentic ADC recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
The statement added, “We are appalled that renegades who are no longer known to the ADC can constitute themselves into a criminal gang to perpetuate illegalities all in the name of making quick money.
“This condemnable action will not stop our party or its presidential candidate from running the race to the very end.
“We are determined to ensure that the bright chances of all ADC candidates in the forthcoming general elections are not sold or mortgaged as was the practice in the past.
“The arm of the law will soon catch up with all those responsible for these shameful activities.”
The Presidential Candidate of the party, Dumebi Kachikwu at a news conference in Abuja last week said he would contest the Saturday election because he was not ready to step down or adopt any other presidential candidate.
