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

Ajadi disclosed that Kachukwu’s suspension came after an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) 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 a number of actions, writings and statements meant to disparage the ADC national officers in order 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 unfavourable actions and inactions to this point have jeopardized the future and chances of all our candidates running for seats across the nation.

“The entire video was denounced by the committee of the whole house as a crude attempt at blackmail and mudslinging, and as a result, it was unanimously recommended that he be suspended from the party effective immediately as of today, Friday, September 2, 2022. The National Executive Council would receive this resolution for further action, “ the statement added.

In response, Kachikwu said that the “purported suspension” he had received from the party’s National Working Committee—whose term had ended on August 28, 2022—was entirely invalid.

He asserted that, in accordance with the terms of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, the defunct NWC led by Ralph Nwosu lacks the power to suspend him or any other member. He stated that without the cooperation of some questionable INEC officials, Nwosu’s NWC would not have been able to carry out the betrayal merchandise throughout the years.

However, the Kogi State chairman and head of the ADC State Chairmen’s Forum, Hon. Kingsley Temitope Ogga, stated that there was no leadership void within the party and that the NEC would meet the following week to determine the appropriate course of action.