Ifeanyi Uzokwe, member representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo federal constituency, says he and other politicians left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) because former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar refused to step down for a southern presidential candidate.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Uzokwe said members of the coalition had urged Atiku to allow candidates from the south to contest the party’s presidential ticket.
He alleged that Atiku insisted on controlling the coalition arrangement within the ADC.
“We left ADC because Atiku said the coalition was formed in his house and that ADC is his party,” he said.
Furthermore, Uzokwe said stakeholders asked Atiku to step aside and allow Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi and other southern aspirants to contest in a primary election.
“We went to him and said, can you step down and leave Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi and others to go into primaries?” he said.
Specifically, the lawmaker argued that Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election, should not be pressured out of the race.
“Somebody that stood for election in 2023 and you are telling him about stepping down?” he asked.
Uzokwe said several former and serving lawmakers held consultations before deciding to leave the ADC.
He added that the Kwankwasiyya movement had already conceded the presidency to the south.
“Kwankwasiyya conceded to the south,” he said.
Uzokwe and other 16 members of the House of Representatives joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) from the ADC.
