By Odita Sunday
Nigeria’s political landscape has been in turmoil since Tuesday, July 1, 2025, following an announcement by an opposition coalition formed with the explicit aim of unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. The coalition, led by prominent political figures after months of speculation, eventually found a home in the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—the same party whose presidential candidate in the last election was Dumebi Kachikwu.
In the blink of an eye, a swarm of political heavyweights, under the coalition’s banner, took control of the ADC, ousting its existing leadership and installing key figures whose last known political identities were memberships of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC. Senator David Mark, former President of the Senate, was named Interim National Chairman, with Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola appointed as National Secretary. Bolaji Abdullahi, a former PDP minister and formerly APC publicity secretary, assumed the role of the ADC National Publicity Secretary.
With the party’s leadership effectively dismantled and replaced, questions quickly arose about the fate of the original ADC members who had fielded a presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
On Thursday, July 3, 2025, Dumebi Kachikwu held a press conference in which he declared unequivocally:
“President Tinubu is not my problem; Atiku is not my problem. Their generation and what they represent are my problem. They should not bring their problems, their mutual animosity, into our party. They should not bring their mindless quest for power into our party. Look at what is happening in Nigeria: bombings have resumed. Sponsored bombings. We’ve seen them in Abuja, Borno, and Kano. Ask yourself, didn’t the same thing happen under President Jonathan? Then it stopped. Now it’s happening again. These people will do anything for power. They’ll pay any price. It’s innocent Nigerians like you and me who suffer.”
The 2023 ADC presidential candidate said further: “All we’re asking is whether it’s right that ordinary Nigerians, the so-called common men, who built a party should be chased out of it, removed from their positions, simply because so-called big men want to use the party to fight their personal battles. That’s the question I’m asking today.”
Kachikwu’s press briefing was a sober reflection amid the political upheaval and realignment caused by the coalition’s appropriation of his party. The significance of his protest was not lost on well-meaning Nigerians. As the country continues to grapple with deep socio-economic challenges and a relentless search for transformational leadership, Dumebi Kachikwu stands out as a distinctive figure, and a reminder of the real issue Nigerians should focus on.
Charting a course from a successful entrepreneurial career into the demanding arena of presidential politics, his 2023 presidential bid under the ADC, where he notably defeated Kingsley Moghalu for the ticket, marked a pivotal moment in his declared mission for a better Nigeria. From his manifesto to his day-to-day commentaries, Kachikwu has positioned him as a vocal advocate for new paradigms in governance.
At the heart of Kachikwu’s public life lies a clearly articulated philosophy of leadership, which he defines as the capacity to “envision what you want for your country, manage the people who can implement that vision, and have the courage and love to bring all of it together.”
This belief is not just rhetoric; it underpins his confidence that he possesses the “political will to lead the country.”
While his elder brother, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, is widely known for his background in petroleum and law, Dumebi has followed a different path. His trajectory is rooted in a range of entrepreneurial ventures that have shaped his practical approach to leadership. A billionaire media entrepreneur, he founded and served as CEO of Roots Television Nigeria, Accelerated Building Technologies, and Kachikwu Farms. These enterprises reflect a pragmatic, private-sector-informed method of problem-solving, underscoring his preference for tangible solutions over abstract ideologies. He also leads Netlink Technologies, collaborating with other firms to enhance global technological accessibility.
Kachikwu’s leadership ideals align closely with the ethos of the ADC, a party whose mission is to foster “intense and intentional leadership” that identifies national challenges, raises public awareness, and jointly crafts solutions to improve living conditions for all Nigerians. The ADC’s vision is to move Nigeria “from Good to Great,” advocating a departure from the entrenched “clan mentality” or “man-know-man syndrome” that favours personal connections over merit.
Kachikwu is renowned as a vocal critic of the entrenched political establishment, particularly what he describes as “recycled politicians” and “greedy and selfish old men” who have, in his view, plunged the nation into mediocrity, fuelled tribal and religious divisions, and failed to provide essential public services. He frequently highlights the country’s generational divide, stressing that while nearly 70 per cent of Nigerians are under 30, much of the political elite is over 75. His political message is thus a direct appeal to the youth, framing the struggle as a generational battle and calling for “new names, new faces, fresh ideas and progressive ideals” to build a Nigeria grounded in meritocracy and free from tribal and religious bias.
The core values of the ADC—Trust (Handshake), Patriotism, Leadership (integrity and foresight), Equity (fairness), Knowledge, Inclusion (diversity), Transparency (radical openness), Accountability (transparent stewardship), and Diversity (multiple perspectives)—mirror Kachikwu’s principles.
Regrettably, the recent hostile takeover by the coalition has jeopardised the values established during the Kachikwu-era ADC.
Kachikwu’s commitment to a better Nigeria transcends politics. His leadership of Roots Television Nigeria demonstrates how media can be leveraged for the public good, as seen in his promotion of initiatives like the “Nigerian Patriot Act.” His business ventures serve as platforms for public advocacy, reinforcing his political goals. Moreover, he is known as a passionate philanthropist, particularly in the realm of education. He has consistently called for urgent action on the issue of out-of-school children, advocating for collaboration between government and private entities to create safe, inclusive learning environments. This focus on structural change, rather than temporary fixes, marks him as a leader who seeks lasting solutions.
Confronted with the ADC’s takeover, Kachikwu has strongly denounced the move, branding it “backdoor politics” and a return to failed leadership.
In his first public statement on the unfortunate development, he challenged the coalition to commit to zoning the 2027 presidency to the South; failing this, their manoeuvres would amount to a betrayal of the principles of power rotation and a covert attempt to position Atiku Abubakar as the next presidential candidate.
He has also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clarify the legitimate leadership of the ADC in light of recent developments.
Amid the deafening silence from much of the political class and the scramble to align with the coalition, Kachikwu has remained a voice of reason, questioning whether Nigeria is once again teetering on the edge of political misdirection. Steadfast in his position, he continues to serve as a symbol of the enduring struggle and pressing hope for genuine leadership and national renewal in Nigeria.