The Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has noted that the reason for choosing the ADC as the platform for the 2027 elections is to bring Nigeria’s divided opposition together and protect the country’s fragile democracy.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the public unveiling of the ADC as the new face of the opposition alliance, Mark said the goal is not just to win political power, but to repair the country’s democratic foundation, which he believes is slowly falling apart under the present leadership.
“This coalition is not merely about gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild the pillars of our democracy and prevent Nigeria’s descent into a one-party state,” he declared.
Mark strongly criticized the current government led by the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of weakening democratic structures and creating what he called a slow shift towards a civilian dictatorship. He said this situation has left many Nigerians without real options as the 2027 elections approach.
He explained that the coalition is made up of several opposition parties, civil society organizations, pro-democracy groups, and youth movements. Together, they are committed to addressing urgent national problems such as insecurity, poverty, and bad leadership.
Calling the ADC a “fortress of democratic revival,” Mark promised that the party would represent openness, fairness, and equal opportunity for all Nigerians.
“Here, the North shall hold hands with the South, the youth shall find equal footing with the elders, women will be equal partners with men, and the farmer and the technocrat shall labour side by side—not for the triumph of one party over another, but for the triumph of Nigeria herself,” he said.
He did not hold back in his criticism of the APC’s handling of security challenges, the economy, and the fight against corruption. He accused the ruling party of deliberately trying to divide and weaken opposition forces in order to stay in power.
“We have never seen a government so much at home with corruption, a government that disdains accountability in all ramifications. A government more concerned with the next election rather than the survival of ordinary Nigerians,” he stated.
Mark urged all Nigerians—especially the youth, women, and those directly affected by violence and poverty—to support the ADC and its mission to restore hope and rebuild the country.
“This coalition is for all Nigerians who believe that our democracy is worth fighting for. It is for youths who face an uncertain future, for families who live in fear of violence, and for all citizens who deserve better,” he said.
He also shared the coalition’s main values, saying that they are choosing unity instead of division, real service instead of empty talk, and fairness instead of injustice. For him, it is more than a political move—it is a battle for Nigeria’s future.
“Let history record that when our democracy faltered, we rose, not in fear, but in faith. The opposition is united. The platform is ADC. The time is now,” Mark noted.
