The Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark has explained that the decision to adopt the ADC as the political platform for the 2027 general elections stems from the urgent need to unite Nigeria’s opposition forces and protect the country’s democratic foundations.
Speaking at the formal unveiling of the ADC as the opposition coalition’s official platform on Wednesday in Abuja, Mark said the move was not just about seizing political power but about rebuilding Nigeria’s faltering democratic institutions, which he argued have been severely weakened under the current administration.
“This coalition is not simply a power grab. It is a determined mission to restore the core pillars of our democracy and halt Nigeria’s slide into a one-party state,” he said.
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of systematically undermining democratic institutions and steering the nation towards what he called “a creeping civilian dictatorship,” leaving Nigerians without a credible political alternative.
The coalition, according to Mark, brings together a broad alliance of opposition parties, youth-led groups, civil society organisations, and pro-democracy advocates. Its agenda is focused on tackling pressing national challenges such as insecurity, poverty, and poor governance.
Describing the ADC as a “fortress of democratic revival,” Mark pledged to transform the party into a platform grounded in inclusiveness, accountability, and the rule of law.
“In this platform, North will unite with South, youth will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with elders, women will be equal partners to men, and both farmers and technocrats will work together—not for the victory of a single party, but for the triumph of Nigeria,” he declared.
Mark strongly criticised the APC government for its handling of national security, the economy, and anti-corruption efforts, accusing it of deliberately weakening opposition groups to deny Nigerians alternative voices.
“We are facing a government that seems comfortable with corruption, dismissive of accountability, and more concerned with securing the next election than with improving the lives of ordinary citizens,” he asserted.
He called on Nigerians especially young people, women, and those affected by insecurity to rally behind the ADC and join what he described as a historic national rescue effort.
“This coalition is for every Nigerian who still believes our democracy is worth defending. For the youth staring into an uncertain future, for families living in fear, and for all citizens who know we deserve better,” Mark said.
He outlined the coalition’s guiding principles: unity over division, service over slogans, action over excuses, and justice over inequality. He stressed that the coalition’s mission goes beyond 2027, it is about securing the nation’s future.
“Let the record show that when our democracy faltered, we stood not in fear, but in faith. The opposition is united. The platform is ADC. The moment is now,” Mark concluded.
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