The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has said that the party will not succumb to intimidation or any form of harassment, describing its 2026 National Convention as a defining moment for the survival of opposition democracy in Nigeria.
Addressing a mammoth crowd of delegates at the Rainbow Events Center in Abuja on Tuesday, Mark asserted that the gathering was an act of courage against a government determined to silence dissenting voices. He said that despite bureaucratic hurdles and legal challenges, the party’s resilience has remained unshaken.
The convention, which is the first under Senator Mark’s leadership, served as a platform to challenge what he described as a “one-party future” orchestrated by the ruling class. He emphasized that the ADC was founded on the conviction that politics must be a call to service rather than a ladder for personal ambition.
Mark revealed that the party had faced “fierce and unprecedented betrayal” in the lead-up to the event. He pointed to recent frictions with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as evidence of a systemic attempt to obstruct the party’s activities.
According to the Chairman, hostile forces attempted to stop the convention by removing party names from official portals and denying them preferred venues. However, he maintained that these obstacles only served to weld the party members closer together.
”The ADC cannot be wished away. The ADC cannot be litigated into silence,” Mark told the cheering crowd. He insisted that the presence of thousands of delegates in Abuja was a clear signal that the Nigerian people are ready to defend their democratic rights.
Addressing the broader political landscape, the former President of the Senate warned that the democratic space in Nigeria is shrinking. He stressed that the ADC would not cower or retreat in the face of what he termed “creeping dictatorship and exploitative governance.”
Mark positioned the ADC as a credible alternative for a new generation of Nigerians who are demanding accountability. He noted that the youth are looking for leadership that aligns with their ambitions and nurtures their talents.
He extended an olive branch to other opposition leaders across the country. He called for a united front, regardless of party affiliation, to “rescue” the nation from its current trajectory, describing the task as a patriotic duty that transcends partisanship.
Reflecting on the party’s internal growth, Mark congratulated the newly elected leaders at the local and state levels. He reminded them that leadership within the ADC must be defined by service, transparency, and inclusion.
He warned that those who emerged as leaders carry a heavy responsibility to remain open to the diverse voices within the coalition. He encouraged those who were unsuccessful in the congresses to remain committed to the party’s ultimate progress.
Mark pledged that under his watch, the party’s constitution would remain supreme. He vowed that no member, regardless of their status or wealth, would be considered bigger than the party or its foundational values.
The central ideology of the ADC, according to Mark, is to return politics to its true purpose: improving the lives of the people. He promised that the party would prioritize human capital investment to make Nigerians more competitive globally.
He issued a stern warning to those seeking office under the ADC banner, stating that they would not have the discretion to use power as they see fit. The party, he said, will hold every elected and appointed official accountable to their campaign promises.
Mark described the current era as a “generational challenge,” noting that great transformations often begin with the quiet, disciplined decisions of a committed few. He expressed total confidence that the ADC is on the right path to shaping Nigeria’s future.
The Chairman concluded by stating that future generations would look back at April 14, 2026, as the day Nigeria chose a different path. He urged members to remain disciplined and united as they work toward the “destiny of the greatest black nation on earth.”
Senator Mark then formally declared the 8th National Convention open, wishing delegates a successful deliberation and a safe journey back to their various states across the Federation.
