National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has declared that the 2027 general election presents an opportunity to reset Nigeria, urging members of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) to mobilise Nigerians across the country and offer a credible alternative to the present administration.
Mark made the declaration on Friday, during the inauguration of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.He said the responsibility before the council went beyond winning an election, stressing that the party must convince Nigerians that governance should protect their dignity and improve their living conditions.
“Nigeria is at a critical crossroads, and Nigerians are looking for leadership that understands their pain and respects their dignity,” Mark said.
He charged members of the campaign council to leave no stone unturned in their efforts to reach voters, urging them to visit every state, local government, ward and community to engage traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youths, workers, farmers, traders, professionals, students and persons with disabilities.
According to him, the ADC must ensure that no community feels neglected or excluded from the party’s engagement process.
Mark also called for an issue-based campaign focused on the high cost of living, poverty, insecurity, unemployment, food affordability, education, healthcare, infrastructure, inflation, the rule of law and the future of Nigerian youths.
He said the party must listen to citizens’ concerns and explain clearly how it intends to address the challenges confronting the country.Describing the ADC presidential ticket of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi as representing experience, capacity and national reach, Mark said the campaign must appeal to Nigerians across regional, ethnic and religious divides.
He urged the candidates to campaign with humility, courage and respect, warning against violence and divisive rhetoric.
“We will build bridges, and not walls. We shall disagree without hatred. We shall compete without violence,” he said.On the 2027 elections, Mark called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other institutions responsible for the electoral process to demonstrate impartiality, transparency and professionalism.
He insisted that every eligible Nigerian must be able to vote freely, safely and without intimidation, adding that the ADC would reject violence, hate speech and politics of revenge.
The National Chairman reminded members of the campaign council that their appointments came with significant responsibilities, requiring sacrifice, discipline, patience, honesty and resilience.He subsequently declared the council inaugurated and called on its members to work towards securing the confidence of Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the ADC/Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Austin Akobundu, has pledged to lead an inclusive, disciplined and issues-driven campaign aimed at winning Nigerians’ confidence and securing the election of Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi in 2027.
Akobundu made the pledge in his acceptance speech following his inauguration as Director-General of the campaign council.
He said his appointment was not ceremonial but a responsibility to lead a campaign centred on the daily struggles of Nigerians, particularly the rising cost of food, transportation, housing, education and business operations.
“This is not a ceremonial role. It is a call to lead a campaign for Nigerians who are asking a simple question: How can I afford to live?” he said.
The campaign director-general criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the rising cost of living, arguing that many households and businesses were yet to experience the anticipated benefits of the government’s economic policies.
He said the ADC campaign would highlight the impact of government policies on ordinary Nigerians while presenting what he described as a credible alternative.
Akobundu outlined several policy proposals attributed to Atiku, including the introduction of a targeted and budgeted production subsidy for fuel refined in Nigeria, a review of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), improved access to student financing, and measures to reduce the cost of education.
He also pledged that an Atiku administration would prioritise agricultural security, improve farmers’ access to credit, support local food processing and consider reopening land borders for legitimate cross-border trade.
On electricity, he said the proposed administration would pursue reforms aimed at making power more reliable and affordable for households and businesses.
He identified the restoration of the eastern maritime port corridor to full operational capacity as another priority, arguing that it would reduce freight costs, shorten transit times and improve access to international markets for manufacturers and traders.
Akobundu further pledged to implement the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy, strengthen devolution of powers and review the Exclusive and Concurrent Legislative Lists to give states and local governments greater capacity to address local needs.He said the proposed administration would also prioritise workers’ welfare, improve budget implementation, overhaul the health sector and establish a transparent financing programme for young entrepreneurs and women.
According to him, the campaign would focus on policies capable of improving purchasing power, creating jobs, supporting businesses and ensuring that public expenditure translates into tangible benefits for citizens.
The Director-General also expressed concern over what he described as intimidation and harassment of ADC members by state agencies, warning that the party would resist such actions while remaining committed to a lawful campaign.
He criticised the continued incarceration of the campaign council’s Deputy Chairman and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing it as an affront to the rule of law. The circumstances surrounding the case were not detailed in the speech.
Akobundu pledged to work with the ADC National Working Committee, party stakeholders, campaign advisers and members of the various directorates to coordinate the campaign.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the PCC Chairman, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, and the Chairman of the Campaign Advisory Board, Chief John Oyegun.
He described Atiku as an experienced administrator and a unifying leader, expressing confidence in his capacity to lead a government focused on the welfare of Nigerians.“We will run an open, inclusive and ideas-driven campaign.
This mission belongs to all of us,” Akobundu said.He added that the campaign would engage Nigerians, present its policy proposals and defend citizens’ right to choose their leaders through a democratic process.
The ADC campaign council’s inauguration marks the formal commencement of the party’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with its leadership pledging to focus on economic hardship, national unity, security, accountability and improved living standards.
