The embattled National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, on Tuesday accused powerful forces of attempting to frustrate the party’s growth and silence opposition voices, declaring that the ADC would resist any move to undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking at the party’s 2026 National Convention in Abuja, Mark said the gathering marked a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history, insisting that the ADC represents the “unyielding survival of opposition democracy.”
“Years from now, Nigerians will ask where we stood when democracy was threatened. Today answers that question. We are here, and democracy will not die on our watch,” he said.
The former Senate President alleged that recent actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other institutions had raised concerns about the integrity of democratic processes, citing the removal of party leaders’ names from official portals and efforts to block the convention.
“They came for us through the courts, through institutions, and through bureaucratic obstruction. They tried to stop this convention from happening. But we are here,” Mark declared.
He said such actions were part of a broader attempt to weaken opposition parties and entrench a one-party system, warning that the stakes go beyond partisan politics.
“What is at stake is not just the ADC or the opposition, but the very survival of our democracy. To surrender is to yield to tyranny,” he added.
Mark maintained that the ADC would not be intimidated, stressing that attempts to suppress the party had only strengthened its resolve and expanded its support base.
“The ADC cannot be wished away. It cannot be litigated into silence. It belongs to the Nigerian people,” he said.
Amid ongoing internal disputes within the party, the ADC chairman called for unity among members and urged opposition leaders across political divides to work together in what he described as a patriotic effort to “rescue the country from creeping dictatorship.”
“This is a generational challenge. We must look beyond party lines and unite to save our democracy,” he said.
Mark also congratulated newly elected party officials at state and local levels, urging them to prioritise service, inclusiveness, and accountability in their leadership roles.
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to transparency and internal democracy, insisting that no individual would be above the party’s constitution.
“In ADC, the constitution will be supreme. Leadership must be about service, not personal ambition,” he said.
Declaring the convention open, Mark expressed confidence that the party would play a decisive role in shaping Nigeria’s future, adding that its mission remains to restore governance that improves the lives of citizens.
