Paul Ibe, spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has accused Dumebi Kachikwu, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), of acting as an agent of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The accusation came in response to Kachikwu’s claims that Atiku and some northern political figures had taken control of the ADC.
Kachikwu had urged Nigerians to reject Atiku and his allies, accusing them of lacking genuine commitment to building a fair and just Nigeria. He alleged that the former vice president’s involvement with the ADC coalition was driven by personal and regional interests.
Speaking to journalists, Ibe dismissed these claims as baseless and politically motivated. He insisted that Atiku was a detribalised Nigerian who did not exploit ethnic or regional divisions for political purposes. According to Ibe, the ADC-led coalition was formed with Nigeria’s interest as its core focus, not to serve any narrow agenda.
“Mr. Kachikwu is an agent of Tinubu’s APC,” Ibe stated. “Since the unveiling of the ADC coalition, Atiku has not even spoken publicly. In trying to do Tinubu’s bidding to weaken opposition platforms, Kachikwu is manufacturing lies that never happened.”
Ibe emphasised that Nigerians were already familiar with Atiku’s record and values. He described the former vice president as someone who does not promote tribalism or religious bias, adding that his only “offence” was standing against the hardship and governance failures under the Tinubu administration.
According to Ibe, Atiku’s decision to work with others through the ADC coalition was part of a broader effort to resist what he described as “one-party dictatorship” and political intimidation in Nigeria. He argued that democracy required both majority rule and the protection of minority voices, warning that without a proper democratic culture, the country’s governance would continue to falter.
The spokesperson highlighted Atiku’s long history of political sacrifice, recalling instances when his businesses and family were targeted under military rule, forcing him into exile. Ibe said this demonstrated Atiku’s willingness to endure personal loss in pursuit of a better Nigeria.
He stressed that the coalition’s mission was to offer Nigerians a credible alternative to the APC and to rebuild the country’s economy and democratic institutions. According to him, no amount of political attacks or misinformation would derail this goal.
“One billion Katukus cannot stop this train,” Ibe said, using a dismissive phrase to underscore his point. “They can manufacture lies and attack the coalition, but they picked the wrong target. This coalition is united and strong. Nigeria is at the center of what we are fighting for, and we have the support of the people. That is what matters.”
Ibe concluded by reaffirming that Atiku and his allies were committed to rescuing Nigeria from what they see as deepening economic and political crises, and that efforts to discredit them would not succeed in breaking the coalition’s resolve.
