By Muhammad Mamman
Dumebi Kachikwu, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has pledged to restore Nigeria’s fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027, slamming its removal as a burden on the poor. In a fiery interview, Kachikwu also issued a stern warning to political heavyweights, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to “go and rest” and steer clear of the ADC, accusing them of attempting to hijack the party for their 2027 ambitions.
Resisting Political Hijackers
Kachikwu expressed outrage at seasoned politicians who, he claims, failed Nigeria in past roles but now seek to seize control of the ADC from its dedicated members. “These opportunists, who’ve had their chance and squandered it, are trying to exploit our party,” he declared, vowing to resist their takeover and run again as the ADC’s candidate in 2027. He singled out Atiku, urging him to step aside, arguing there’s “no room” for him to use the ADC as a platform after failing to alleviate Nigerians’ suffering in previous positions.
A Southern President for 2027
Addressing the crowded field of southern presidential aspirants, including himself, set to challenge incumbent President Bola Tinubu in 2027, Kachikwu defended the right to contest but stressed fairness. “For equity in Nigeria’s political system, the South should produce the next president, just as we respected the North’s turn,” he said, cautioning Atiku against disrupting this balance.
Tackling Nigeria’s Core Issues
Kachikwu blamed Nigeria’s lack of progress since independence on a fractured national identity, accusing the British of leaving behind a “geographical expression” divided by tribe, religion, and region. “We’ve never seen ourselves as one nation,” he said, proposing a new national charter to define Nigeria’s ethos and unify its people. If elected, he vowed to prioritise national cohesion, heal divisions from the contentious 2023 election, and address inequities head-on through inclusive dialogue.
Fuel Subsidy: A Pledge to Restore
On the soaring cost of living, Kachikwu attributed inflation to the removal of fuel subsidies, a policy he insists was mismanaged. “An oil-producing nation like Nigeria should subsidise fuel for its citizens,” he argued, promising to reinstate the subsidy while prosecuting those who abused the system. Clarifying the subsidy’s removal, he noted that former President Muhammadu Buhari omitted it from the budget, leaving Tinubu to announce its end. “Tinubu didn’t remove it; Buhari did,” Kachikwu said, but added that continuing without subsidies was a misstep.
Defending the ADC’s Future
Refuting claims he abandoned the ADC post-2023, Kachikwu highlighted his ongoing activism and the party’s legal battles, which reached the Supreme Court. He dismissed fears that powerful politicians, including those led by former Senate President David Mark, could derail his 2027 ambitions. “Sanity and justice will prevail in the ADC,” he asserted, predicting that these “opportunists” would find the party unsuitable for their “brand of politics” and seek alternatives elsewhere.
Kachikwu rejected calls to join forces with these new entrants, branding them as “tested and found wanting.” He argued that Nigeria needs “bold, fresh ideas” from new leaders, not recycled politicians who’ve held the nation back. “We cannot ask those who destroyed our country to save it,” he said, likening public support for such figures to Stockholm Syndrome.
