A political scientist, Jideofor Adibe, says the All Progressives Congress (APC) will encourage a dissatisfied chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, to engage in legal disputes with the David Mark leadership of the party, which is bent on wresting power from President Bola Tinubu.

Adibe, a professor of political science and international relations at Nasarawa State University, was a guest on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Thursday.

Kachikwu, the ADC presidential candidate in the 2023 election, came in distant fifth in the poll with 81,919 total votes.

On Wednesday, Kachikwu accused the Mark-led opposition coalition of a forceful takeover of the party, though the ex-ADC chair, Ralph Nwosu, formally handed over to David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as interim National Chair and Secretary, respectively.

The former ADC presidential candidate threatened legal action against the coalition members, a move Adibe said the APC would embrace to destabilise the ADC.

The political scientist said, “We read about Dumebi Kachukwu, who ran as the presidential candidate of the ADC in 2023, saying that he was going to go to court. This can be expected.

“This is the only thing that can give him a headline. He came from nowhere and became the presidential candidate of the ADC for what seemed to be an ego trip; I’m not even sure that he got a handful of votes in his polling unit.

“I’m sure the APC and the government of the day will be very happy to oxygenate and amplify his narrative.”

Adibe also said the Mark-led opposition coalition involving ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and his counterpart In the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, must be aware of the uphill task before them and should not rest yet.

The expert said the brains behind the coalition are tested politicians with individual records, not people who can be easily dismissed.

He said, “It is still not Uhuru for them but to the extent that they get to this level, I think we should give them credit.

“David Mark was one of the key executioners of the Babangida coup. A retired brigadier general, and the longest-serving Senate president in the country; he served for eight years. A former governor of Niger State. At 77, there is nothing anyone can use to frighten him.

“Aregbesola is credited with being the brain behind Tinubu losing Osun State. Then you look at Peter Obi. Don’t be deceived by his tiny voice and his gentle mien. His nickname Is Okwute, which means rock. As governor of Anambra state, he wrestled godfathers.

“You look at El-Rufai. You may not like him but nobody can dismiss the fact that he is a man of tremendous courage and technocratic spirit. Rotimi Amaechi fought Jonathan to a standstill.

“These are people who are tested. Of course, they know it is not Uhuru.” (Channels TV)