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…I remain ADC Presidential candidate — Kachikwu

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has endorsed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi for the February 25 poll.

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The ADC announced the development at a press conference in Abuja on Monday.

In attendance at the event include the ADC National Chairman, Raphael Nwosu as well as LP chieftain and Obi’s righthand man, Pat Utomi.

Nwosu said after weighing presidential candidates in the country ahead of Saturday’s poll, it is the party’s conviction to back Obi.

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“It is indeed our conviuction that the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi and his running mate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed will include good governance and accountability,” he said.

However, Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed were not at the event as they were said to be in Zaria, Kaduna State for a rally.

The ADC, largely factionalised, has some members supporting the party’s flag bearer, Dumebi Kachikwu, while other groups within the party are not in support of his candidacy.

I remain ADC Presidential candidate — Kachikwu

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Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Dumebi Kachikwu, has said that he remains the flag bearer of the party.

ADC through its National Chairman, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, endorsed the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi earlier today.

But Kachikwu speaking at Roots Television, said he won’t step down for Peter Obi or any other presidential candidate, adding that he is still very much interested in the race.

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He added that Nigeria shouldn’t ride on the wings of tribe and religion, saying that Peter Obi was riding on the wings of religion and tribe.

According to him, “I am aware that former president Olusegun Obasanjo endorsed the Labour Party Presidential candidate. Obasanjo had sent for me and told me that he preferred I and the Labour Party’s presidential candidate and that we should run our race and see what happens.

“For him what was important was doing everything possible to ensure the unity of Nigeria. My response now and my response then remains the same, the Labour candidate he wanted me to work with represented no difference from either Bola Tinubu or Aitku Abubakar.

“I believe if Obi had worked well for Anambra when he was governor, that would have been the rallying point for him in this election and in the Southeast.

“I entered this race when it became clear to me that Okowa wouldn’t run and Osinbajo would fail to emerge as the APC candidate. The Labour candidate has failed to proffer solutions on the myriad issues that plague our nation and instead has ridden on the divisive platform of tribe, tongue and religion.

“In addition to being able to identify, understand and proffer solutions to our many problems, I am running for office because I strongly believe that tribe, tongue and religion should no longer play a role in our politics or in governance. Tribe and religion have destroyed Nigeria for too long.

“We can’t continue to speak about corruption and fail to see that tribe, tongue and religion are the bedrock of corruption in a multi-plural and multi-ethnic society. Any candidate who runs on this divisive and destructive platform of tribe, tongue and religion should never be supported to emerge as President of Nigeria.

“This is the real meaning of Emilokan. It is the turn of the Ibos is another name for Emilokan. It is the turn of the Yorubas is Emilokan. It is the turn of the Hausas is Emilokan. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi are running on the platform of Emilokan. Emilokan will further ruin Nigeria.”

(Channels TV/Vanguard)