Why We Chose ADC To Fight Tinubu’s Civilian Dictatorship – Mark

…as Atiku, Obi, El- Rufai, Amaechi Others Unveil Opposition Platform

By Tunde Opalana

The Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Party (ADC), Senator David Mark on Wednesday explained why the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria adopted the ADC as a chosen platform ahead of the 2027 general election.

The former Senate President at the unveiling of the ADC in Abuja said the party will be a veritable vehicle to fight civilian dictatorship foisted on the nation by President Bola Tinubu.

As galaxies of politicians of different shades gathered at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre for the historic occasion, Mark said the platform is not only to rescue power from the All Progressives Congress, APC but also to correct the many ills that has bedeviled the Nigerian democracy.

On the choice of ADC to actualize their mission, the interim chairman said “after extensive deliberations, and discussions, which spanned several months with deserving platforms, the coalition has decided to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the vehicle for this historic journey.

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“Having adopted the ADC, we commit ourselves to building and transforming it into a strong political party, not merely as another electoral vehicle but as a fortress and platform of our revived democracy. It will be the harbinger of democracy where members of the party will reign supreme. A party that obeys its rules and constitution in the best democratic traditions. A party of equal stakeholders, equal joiners and equal owners.

“It is the great house into which all patriots are invited. A party that recognises the experience of the old and the energy of the youths. To all Nigerians, we say here is the new big tent into which all patriots are invited.

“Here, the North shall hold hands with South, the youth shall find equal footing with the elder, women will be equal partners with men, 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.”

Speaking on the mission of the ADC, Mark said: “We are gathered here this afternoon in pursuit of our shared mission to rescue our country and save our hard-won democracy. We address you formally, today on the operational focus and structure of the new political coalition that brings together Nigeria’s diverse opposition groups, political parties, youth organisations, the civil society and other patriots from all corners of our vast land, committed to saving the very soul of our Republic.

“Let it be known to all, that this coalition of national political opposition groups goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.

“Today marks the beginning of what we believe would be a long, difficult and tedious journey. However, it is a journey that we are prepared to undertake, united in our collective belief that no price or sacrifice is too high in the service of our fatherland.

“It is on record that within two years of the current administration coming to power, it has hijacked all democratic institutions, and sent our country on a creeping descent into total civilian dictatorship.

“The blatant destabilisation and infiltration of all major opposition political parties is aimed at achieving only one objective, to enhance total state capture and leave Nigerians with no alternative or options in 2027. This coalition is to prevent our country’s descent into a one-party state.

“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 the ordinary Nigerians. A government so totally consumed with politicking that governance is abandoned, while the majority of our people wallow in hunger and poverty.

“We have never seen this level of insecurity across the length and breadth of our nation. Bandits and kidnappers kill Nigerians at will and on daily basis. Yet, this ongoing tragedy has not moved the government to any action that would stop these mindless killings and stem the tide of needless bloodshed. Indeed, the Nigerian people deserve a government that protects them and make them feel safe in their own homes.

“To all our brothers and sisters in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, Katsina, Kaduna, Edo, parts of the South East, South West, South-South who live under constant fear of violence and terror, who have lost a father, a mother, a child, a husband, a wife, this coalition is for you.

“Equally disturbing, is the total emasculation of the legislative institution. Never in our history, have we witnessed a National Assembly where legislators, the trustees of the very bastion of our democracy, saddled with the sacred duty to protect Nigerians from misuse of executive power, are reduced to cheerleaders and praise singers of the President, head of the executive arm.

“Without doubt, the transformation of Nigeria’s National Assembly to a mere appendage of presidential authority is a dangerous conspiracy against the Nigerian people. It is the reason why the government is able to get away with various whimsical, unconstitutional policies and actions or inactions that have reduced more Nigerians to abject poverty and widened the boundaries of insecurity and fear.”

He, however said: “This coalition is determined to offer Nigerians a path to security, prosperity, peace and progress. Coming from various party affiliations, we are united in our resolve to present a constructive alternative to the hardship, insecurity and waste that has become the hallmark of the current APC government.”

Notable Nigerians who were at the unveiling are; 2023 Presidential candidates of PDP, Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party, Peter Obi, former President of the Senate, David Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

Others, including the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Umeh; former PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; the 2023 Labour Party Vice Presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed; former APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun; and former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar.

Also in attendance are; former Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Abdulfattah Ahmed (Kwara), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), and Oserheimen Osunbor (Edo), Celestine Omehia (Rivers) along with former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.

Others include Senator Dino Melaye, former Youth Minister, Solomon Dalung, former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Kolapo Olushola, media mogul, Chief Dele Momodu, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Suleiman Nazif, Alh Kashim Iman and Senator Lee Maeba, among others.

Meanwhile, the pioneer founding national chairman of ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu at the gathering announced his resignation alongside other executive members under his leadership to support Mark.

Nwosu said the opposition coalition is not about seeking power, but moving Nigeria to “global reckoning”.

He stated: “ADC has always been about the rejuvenation of Nigeria and Africa. This journey started about 18 months back and we have over 12 NEC meetings.

“When we were consulted, we said we have also been consulting because we are a party that believes in coalition.

“A day like this shows that we are ready to sacrifice anything for Nigeria. We don’t have any doubt in the man, we all have decided to resign.”