Kingsley Moghalu's presidential campaign in turmoil as he suffers shock defeat in ADC primaries

FORMER Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) deputy governor Professor Kingsley Moghalu has suffered a shock setback in his bid to become Nigeria's next president after he was defeated in the primaries of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) yesterday.

In 2019, Professor Moghalu was a presidential candidate running on the platform of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), battling it out with heavyweights President Muhammadu Buhari and former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. He came a distant 14th with just 21,886 votes, behind the likes of Omoyele Sowore and Donald Duke.

However, with 2023 fast approaching, Professor Moghalu has begun campaigning again and in October last year, he joined the ADC. Yesterday, the party held its presidential primaries and Dumebi Kachikwu, the younger brother of former minister of state for petroleum resources, Ibe Kachikwu, emerged as the victor.

Mr Kachikwu, the founder of Roots Television, was declared the winner after scoring 977 votes, while Professor Moghalu polled 589 votes and Chukwuka Monye got 339 votes. Eight other aspirants participated in the presidential primary that took place in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Professor Moghalu is yet to react to the defeat, which nobody saw coming. He now has the option of either joining another party and seeking its presidential ticket, returning to the YPP or accepting his fate and sitting out next year's elections.

Mr Monye said: “ADC primaries is done. I appreciate Prof Moghalu and other credible aspirants for a spirited fight even though we didn’t make it.

“The fight to rescue this country from the brink of disaster is still on. Monye is committed to this and I will communicate who we will support.”