NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR–Despite the alignment of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), leadership with Peter Obi of the Labour Party, the Presidential Candidate of the ADC, Dumebi Kachikwu, on Monday insisted that he will not step down from the 2023 presidential race.
He made his position known during a press conference that he will definitely finish the race he started.
Speaking further on the damaged done to him by the independent Electroal Commission (INEC), Kachikwu said: “I have said very clear that INEC has strongly damaged and frustrated my ambition. But in any political race, it is never over until it is over. You never know what can happen. We have week to go.
“I have to say that I have a very difficult campaign with my party.
“My initial plans was to be able to go to Nigerians, talk to Nigerians, my party was factionalised and divided. I have no one in most states to receive me, wherever I want to go to. And it presented a big problem.
“I clearly tell you today that I am not out of this race. I’m in this race to the very end.
“If anybody expects me to announce that I am aligning with another candidate, then the person is seriously mistaken.”
Kachikwu, had recently accused INEC of deliberately frustrating his chances to contest the forthcoming elections.
He also said the action of the electoral umpire would not force him to adopt any frontline presidential candidate due to frustration.
He noted with concern that INEC despite a court verdict which terminated the tenure of Chief Ralph Nwosu as the Chairman of the party, has continued to relate with him and his team.
He added that the decision of the electoral umpire to release the agents code to Nwosu was a big threat to his presidential ambition and the aspirations of other ADC candidates across the country.
