The national leadership of the opposition African Democratic Party (ADC) has denied reaching any agreement with the expelled presidential candidate of the party, Dumebi Kachukwu.
It also categorically denied any move for reconciliation with him.
DAILY POST reports the party had earlier announced Kachikwuโs expulsion following allegations of anti-party activities, disrespect for the party leaders, among others.
The presidential candidate was, however, reported to have indicated interest for reconciliation.
But in a joint statement issued Thursday by the National Chairman of the party, Chief Ralphs Nwosu and the National Secretary, Alhaji Said Abdullahi, the party said since Kachikwu got the ADC presidential ticket in June 2022, instead of using the ticket to drive the party towards the presidency, he chose to undermine the party and stagnate its progress.
The party said: โThe attention of the leadership of ADC has been drawn to a circus being orchestrated by Mr. Dumebi Kachukwu, the expelled Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress. Our party is unaware of this purported reconciliation of the dispute in the party as announced by Dumebi and his co-travelers on AIT and various media platforms.
โIt should be clear that since Dumebi Kachikwu got the ADC Presidential ticket in June 2022, instead of using the ticket to drive the party towards the Presidency, rather, he chose to undermine the party and stagnate its progress; and has been trying to hijack the party through the backdoor and to destroy all our efforts for reasons best known to him.โ
โWe wish to make it categorical that Dumebi Kachikwu remains expelled from ADC.โ
The party said it has moved ahead and would not want to be distracted from its robust campaign arrangements for ADCโs over 1,980 candidates.
It added: โThere has never been any serious move in line with the constitution of our great party, ADC, to resolve their case in the party. ADC is not averse to peaceful resolution of issues.
โHowever, we are a political party that believes in order, organizational procedures and protocols. ADC as a party operates based on its constitution, the rules and regulations from INEC, the Electoral Act and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.โ
The party leadership noted that any peace efforts must be in line with the above rules and procedures.
It noted that nobody sets his fatherโs house ablaze and says there is peace without resolving the fundamental issues with his father.