Dumebi Kachikwu, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says smaller parties will take the lead in the 2023 general elections to project Nigerians’ political reawakening.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Kachikwu said ADC would not negotiate with the All Progressives Congress(APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party ahead of the presidential elections.

“I am sending a strong warning to APC, PDP and the Labour Party; ADC will not trade or negotiate any mandate,” the presidential aspirant said.

He added, “If you paid any money to anybody, go and collect your money back.”

Mr Kachikwu said this while celebrating his victory over the court case involving the party and its former chairman, Ralph Nwosu.

He said that removing the erstwhile chairman and his management by the Federal High Court in Abuja indicated the party’s tenacity towards ensuring a united and purpose-driven party.

“Justice Binta Nyako’s ruling was a Christmas gift for the entire ADC family, who can now focus on rebuilding their party and taking their campaign to the Nigerian people,” he said.

Mr Kachikwu alleged that Nwosu did everything possible to destroy the party against the collective ambitions of other members.

He said that Nwosu’s management encouraged candidates to enter negotiations with other parties.

“Thus further strengthened the prevalent view that smaller parties are only in the race to negotiate payments with bigger parties. This will never be the story of ADC going forward.

“We will exterminate this anti-democratic cankerworm that almost destroyed our party and build a party that will be the pride of all Nigerians.

“Change must start from within, and this change has started within the ADC.”

(NAN)