The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has faulted the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise former Senate President David Mark as the party’s national chairman.

Kachikwu, who spoke on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme on Thursday, described the recognition as an “irresponsible act” by the outgoing INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu.

He said, “Nigerians as a whole know that the David Mark-led faction of the ADC is on borrowed time. What we saw from the INEC chairman yesterday was another irresponsible act from the outgoing chairman of INEC.”

Naijaonpoint reports that INEC had on Wednesday listed Mark as the party’s National Chairman, with Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary and Dr. Ibrahim Mani as National Treasurer.

But Kachikwu insisted the recognition was premature as the matter was already before the court.

He further stated, “It is a norm that when you have cases in court, you respect those cases and avoid anything that will affect their outcomes. The courts are sitting on our matter with David Mark and co next month, and Nigerians will see the rulings after the courts sit.”

The former presidential candidate also dismissed the coalition backing Mark, accusing them of lacking fresh ideas and genuine commitment to nation-building.

“If they had leadership that we could look to and say these guys did well for Nigeria, Nigerians today would not be complaining,” Kachikwu said.

He added, “Nigerians are saying this country is a failed nation because these guys all failed. What are they trying to do? Which nation are they trying to rebuild? A nation that they destroyed? Absolutely not! These are people who cannot stay outside political office. They have nothing else they do for a living.”

Asked whether he would consider joining forces with the Mark-led ADC to build a strong opposition ahead of 2027, Kachikwu rejected the idea.

“Are you saying that my generation, your generation, the generation after us, don’t have anything worthwhile to offer in service to the fatherland? I believe we have Nigerians who have got what it takes to save this country,” he said.