The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has suspended its presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Dumebi Kachikwu, over a viral video.

The party accused Kachikwu of making and disseminating a false, thoughtless and defamatory film in a statement issued by the deputy national chairman (Politics), Dr Bamidele Ajadi.

Ajadi disclosed that the suspension of Kachukwu followed a National Working Committee (NWC) emergency meeting on Friday.

The party disclosed that Kachikwu’s actions “smacked of crass irresponsibility, callous indiscipline, false scandalisation and blackmail and entirely unsuitable of someone who wants to be president of Nigeria,” and that they were not acceptable for a candidate for that position.

“The NWC viewed with great concern the baseless and defamatory video produced, released, and distributed by Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, which was intended to impugn and disparage the integrity and image of an African Democratic Congress that is peaceful and transformation-oriented, as well as its national officers.” the statement said.

The party pointed out that Kachikwu’s remarks in the aforementioned video went against both the particular clause of Article 16 of the ADC Constitution and the principles and ideals upon which ADC was based.

The party pointed out that the NWC had previously ignored several actions, writings, and statements meant to disparage the ADC national officers for peace to prevail.

“The NWC further highlighted that he has failed, disregarded, and refused to share with the party any meaningful, constructive, or realistic presidential campaign roadmap for the next presidential election since the 9th of June 2022 when he was elected the presidential candidate. His unfavorable actions and inactions to this point have jeopardized the future and chances of all our candidates running for seats across the nation.
[Leadership]