ADC Rejects Kachikwu’s Candidacy, Cites 3.44 Million Members and Accuses APC of Inflated Rolls

Context On Monday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi denounced a gathering in Abuja that adopted Kachikwu as the party’s consensus presidential candidate for 2027. The meeting, held at A‑Class Garden, Maitama, was described by Abdullahi as a “group of people who meet in a room to entertain themselves,” lacking any legal standing under the party’s constitution.

Key Facts - The Supreme Court has affirmed that only the leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark (National Chairman) and former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola (National Secretary) is recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Abdullahi reiterated that any other faction, including the one that produced Kachikwu, is illegitimate. - ADC submitted a cleaned‑up membership register to INC, showing 3,444,000 registered members. Abdullahi invited the public to verify the figure directly with INEC, emphasizing the party’s commitment to transparency. - In contrast, Abdullahi accused the APC of “amusing and laughable” tactics, claiming the ruling party inflates its membership to 11 million, 20 million, or even 30 million to suggest a guaranteed vote bank for 2027. He challenged the APC to produce a verifiable INEC‑submitted register. - ADC officials highlighted that their presidential primaries are being supervised by INEC across all states, a process they claim sets them apart from other parties.

What It Means The ADC’s rejection of Kachikwu’s candidacy underscores internal fractures within Nigeria’s opposition landscape. By publicly asserting a verified membership count, the party aims to bolster its credibility ahead of a contested primary that will determine its 2027 ticket. The sharp criticism of the APC’s alleged number‑inflation signals a broader battle over voter roll legitimacy, a factor that could shape the integrity of the upcoming general election. Watch for the ADC’s official primary results on Tuesday and any legal challenges that may follow.