Tag: David Mark

Sen. David Mark, the Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) says the party under his watch will not tolerate candidates’ imposition, anti-party activities and other forms of indiscipline.

Mark made this known in his remarks at a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party in Abuja. The interim chairman also pledged to serve the party with integrity, transparency, courage, and vision.

He acknowledged the patriotism, sacrifices, and dedication of the outgoing National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, and his team, who he lauded for building the ADC over the years and for relinquishing party leadership in the interest of the country.

He also commended all party leaders and loyal members who contributed to the party’s growth, assuring them that his leadership would be fair and just.

“I assure you that under my leadership, we shall be committed to full democratic practices and principles that abhor imposition and special privileges. Internal democracy, transparency, and accountability will be our mantra.

“We will guarantee collective leadership at all levels. We will build a technically competent bureaucracy for the party and ensure structured financing. All members will truly own the party.

“We shall revamp our grassroots leadership structures to reflect modern realities. From the polling units, wards up to the national level, every organ will be re-energised,” he said.

Mark also promised inclusion for the youth and women.

”Our policies, nominations, and leadership roles will reflect meaningful inclusion of youths and women and not just tokenism.

“This is why we have reserved 35 per cent of our leadership positions for women. It is also our commitment to have youths below the age of 40 years in our leadership,” he said.

He disclosed that the new National Working Committee (NWC) would, within the shortest possible time, raise committees to review the party’s manifesto and constitution to meet and reflect the aspirations of the Nigerian people.

“We shall clearly articulate what we stand for. Nigerians must know us as a party driven by unblemished ideology, progressive policies, and patriotic governance.

“We will not leave it to the discretion of individual candidates to choose what to do with power,” he affirmed.

Mark announced that in the coming days, the ADC would unveil a 50-member policy committee dedicated to key sectors.

These according to him were, health, education, agriculture, technology, security, economy, and infrastructure, underscoring the party’s focus on achieving good governance for Nigerians.

He urged all Nigerians to join the ADC, promoting it as the only party that guarantees equal opportunity regardless of age, gender, religion, or region.

He also encouraged all ADC members to return to their polling units and begin working at the grassroots, rather than remaining in Abuja.

Earlier in his remarks, Chief Nwosu highlighted the ADC’s significant growth, stating it had transformed from a “small largest party in Nigeria” to a major political force under Mark’s leadership.

Nwosu noted the increasing number of people seeking registration in the ADC nationwide, revealing that the party’s website had crashed three times due to the influx of young people attempting to register online.

He described the adoption of ADC by the national coalition and unveiling Mark led leadership on July 2 as the beginning of a new dawn.

“Within one week, our membership grew from maybe 600 people who were paying membership dues to almost three million who started paying membership dues.

“Some states have told us that we must print a minimum of two million membership cards for them,” he said.

Nwosu urged the judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other democratic institutions in Nigeria to be alive to their responsibilities in delivering their mandates.

An ADC Chieftain, Godson Okoye, advised party members to remain hopeful, describing the ADC as a party poised to lead Nigeria towards economic prosperity.

“This journey has just begun, let us encourage ourselves,” Okoye said.

The acting National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sen. David Mark, says that the party is for all Nigerians and would not discriminate against anyone.

Mark, who stated this on Wednesday in Makurdi at the unveiling of the coalition, said that all members of the party would have equal opportunities.

The national chairman, who was represented by Sen. Gabriel Suswam, former governor of Benue, emphasised that the party belongs to all the people, adding that it was not owned by anyone.

“There will be no discrimination or shortchanging of anyone. Everyone will be treated equally, regardless of who you are.

“The party is for the people, not for one person. We want the people to take ownership of the party, which is why we encourage you to consult and nominate potential leaders.

“None of us will get involved directly in this process, and all sections of the society will be represented. There will be a state leader for the disabled, women and all other groups.

“So, let no one feel agitated about the potential leadership here. I have sent a message to let you know that I stand with all of you in Benue who are interested,” he said.

Mark announced a 7-man pro tem leadership of the party, which he said was constituted after wide consultation.

The national chairman said that the former Rep. Terngu Tsegba’s leadership would supervise the registration of new members and would exit office after 30 days beginning from July 9.

He listed the members of the pro tem leadership to include Mr Terngu Tsegba – Chairman, Mr Samson Okwu – Security, Mr Stephen Ayua – Publicity Secretary, Mrs Elizabeth Alagh – Member, Prof. Cletus Tyokyaa – Member, Mr Abeji Egwa – Member and Mr Atoo Agber – Member.

In his remarks, Mr Terngu Tsegba, the pro tem chairman, assured that they would be honest in all their dealings with members.

Tsegba said that they would strive to observe the rules and regulations of the party and that they would nurture the party to election victory.

“The ADC will rule this state with the fear of God; we will adhere to the constitution. We will provide good governance and ensure your security.

“We will work to ensure that all our internally displaced people return to their ancestral homes. We will grant local government autonomy, not just on paper.

“Our ADC government will ensure that all local governments receive their subventions directly into their accounts.

“On day one of the ADC government, the Bureau of Local Government will be scrapped. I want to assure you that this is a new era.

“For all our youth, especially those of you without jobs, ADC is your solution. Our government will not be sectional. We will ensure equitable distribution of offices throughout the state.

“ADC will treat everyone as a stakeholder in this state—whether you are rich or poor, young or old, from any tribe, we will treat everyone equally,” he said.

Speaking for the people of the Benue South Senatorial District, Chief David Olofu announced that the entire zone has embraced the new party and is battle ready for the 2027 election.

Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Senate President, Mr David Mark, has opened up and said the party has no preferred presidential aspirant for the 2027 presidential election.

Mark stated this while addressing stakeholders of the Kogi chapter of the ADC at a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday. He assured Nigerians that, under his leadership, the party would be absolutely transparent.

“The ADC has no preferred or favourite presidential aspirant, but has set out to first put out a platform that would be attractive and acceptable to the majority of Nigerians.

“We are doing this because we do not want this great ship called Nigeria to sink, because if we do not rise up now and it sank all of us will be affected,” he said.

Mark added that all members of the party are “equal stakeholders, equal joiners, equal owners.”

“I don’t own this party more than any of our members and I urge all members to prepare to show Nigerians that ADC is a different party.

“A different party that is ready to properly run democracy in our country. All Nigerians must come together and take ownership of the ADC,” he added.

He urged members to put their differences aside and work as a team, adding that, “we must bond together to build the party before we can talk of ambitions.”

He called on some politicians to stop attacking others, but should concentrate on addressing key challenges facing the nation such as insecurity, which the ADC leadership will tackle if it takes over power.

“Let us continue to work to rebuild our nation and bring out her best in the overall interest of future generations,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Legal Support Group for ADC, Mohammed Sheriff, said that names of non-ADC members were being used to file a suit against the party and its interim leadership.

Sheriff alleged that the names being used to file the suit were neither in the ADC physical nor digital registers in Kogi and Nasarawa States.

Sheriff expressed the group’s readiness to represent the ADC in the courts over the matter filed against the party and its interim officers.

She disclosed that no fewer than 97 lawyers had indicated their preparedness to stand for the party.

Group rallies support for Tinubu, dismisses ADC coalition

A prominent political support group, the Patriotic Movement for President Tinubu Second Term 2027, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the vision and achievements of President Bola Tinubu.

The group made the commitment in a statement on Tuesday signed by its leaders, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi Sokoto, Acting National Coordinator; Elder Gbolagade Oladiji, Deputy National Coordinator and Victor Uchechuku, National Secretary.

They urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against what it described as politically motivated distractions.

The movement dismissed a newly formed political coalition—comprising some former governors and political figures—as an “Amalgamation of Discredited Citizens (ADC),” citing their chequered public records and alleged history of political inconsistency.

The group questioned the credibility of key figures in the coalition, including former Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Rauf Aregbesola, and Rotimi Amaechi, asserting that their past actions have contributed little to Nigeria’s democratic progress.

“At a time when the nation is witnessing bold reforms and sustained infrastructure investments under President Tinubu, it is unfortunate that certain individuals seek to distract Nigerians with recycled rhetoric,” the statement said.

It  lauded President Tinubu’s performance so far, such as the ongoing initiatives in energy, transportation, and economic revitalization as evidence of the administration’s commitment to national progress.

The group also praised the president’s courage in tackling long-standing economic challenges with pragmatic policy solutions.

They further called on citizens to “see beyond political theatrics” and remain focused on the collective task of building a stable and prosperous Nigeria.

“As we approach 2027, the choice is between proven leadership and recycled politics. Nigerians must choose vision, experience, and results over empty alliances,” the statement concluded.