Following the formal adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on July 2 as the official party of the National Opposition Coalition Group (NOCG) , with David Mark named as interim National Chairman, the party held its 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Tuesday, July 29. The meeting, which is also the party’s first post-adoption NEC, was held at the Chelsea Hotel in Abuja, and it was marked by the formal inauguration of a new National Working Committee (NWC) led by Mark as the new National Chairman of the party, which has tasked itself to work towards producing the next president of Nigeria in 2027.
While giving his valedictory speech at the meeting, the outgoing National Chairman , Ralph Nwosu, disclosed that officials of the APC federal government had tried to dissuade him from agreeing to the adoption of the ADC by the opposition coalition with the offer of three ministerial slots.
Throwing light on the alleged inducement plot, Nwosu said senior government officials promised him three ministerial slots by 2027 if he rejected the adoption of the ADC as the coalition party.
He said, “They offered me ministerial slots—one for myself and two for people of my choice—but it was all aimed at killing the coalition. When that failed, they resorted to kidnappings and intimidation. Yet, we stood firm for Nigeria.”
“I said no. I chose a democratic future for Nigeria. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state after all we did to ensure that the military exited from governance and returned to the barracks.”
Nwosu accused the ruling APC of using state funds to destabilize the coalition, including funding lodging for political saboteurs in Abuja’s most expensive hotels, adding, “But we said no. ADC said no. We believe Nigeria needs a viable opposition to protect its democracy from sliding into a one-party fascist state.”
“We were worried by the declining fortunes of our democracy. That is why ADC stood strong in navigating the coalition process. Some of our people are being kidnapped. But we insist on the coalition in the best interest. They use government money to book places for their agents of destabilization,” he added.
He said, “By rejecting the offers, the ADC is now the party with the largest membership. ADC is now the government in waiting; we are running the party for Nigeria and our democracy. We all agree we want to do everything that is possible, and today, your party has over 100 elected persons already, even without an election, including about 28 senators and 46 House of Rep members. The number of state House of Assembly members we have is difficult to count, but they are almost over 50.
“ADC grew from one small party to a very large party now. Nigerians have shown that they detest what the party in government is doing right now.”
Nwosu confirmed that the NEC meeting was observed by seven officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). who was invited as a regulatory agency to see the formal handing over of the affairs of the party to the Mark-led interim national executive.
The former chairman insinuated that the objective of the formal handover of ADC’s structures to the Mark-led executive was to foreclose any questions on the legality of the adoption of the ADC by the opposition alliance coming from aggrieved and possibly sponsored persons, like the presidential candidate of ADC in 2023, Dumebi Kachikwu, who had continued to allege the usurpation of the party by the opposition coalition.
He explained that “our constitution says all elected members, serving and non-serving, are NEC members. The last NEC meeting gave the NWC the mandate to go ahead with the coalition talks.”
Nwosu urged all party organs to rally around the new leadership, warning that “a single bad person” in the team could sabotage years of progress. “We all made commitments that we are stepping down as NWC and NEC members. We are very careful with the kind of people we are going to choose to lead the party because a single bad person can spoil the whole good job that must have been done.”
He further stated that the ADC’s recent announcement of David Mark’s chairmanship sparked an explosion in interest, with over 3 million Nigerians reportedly registering as paying members within one week. States have now requested a minimum of 2 million membership cards each, signaling a surge in public support.
“There is no better reward than what Nigerians are giving us now. Our children and grandchildren can sleep well knowing that we stood up when it mattered most,” Nwosu said.
Two motions were moved at the meeting. The first motion, which was for the final handover of the party to a new leadership, was moved by the zonal chairman, Southwest, Razzaq Eyiowuawi, while the chairman of the party in Zamfara State, Kabiru Garba, moved that all those expelled in 2022 be recalled.
By that development, all those suspended were recalled. The second motion was moved by outgoing National Organizing Secretary Suleman Ibrahim, who stated that the NWC headed by Nwosu be dissolved
The motion was seconded by Dr. Charles Idowu from Osun State, and the NWC became dissolved, with the tenure elapsed effective July 29, 2025.
The motions were put to vote, and they were passed. Thereafter, the new National Caretaker Committee was announced. David Mark was named as the new national chairman, while Rauf Aregbesola was pronounced as the national secretary, and Bolaji Abdullahi was named as the new national publicity secretary. They are to lead the party alongside deputy national chairmen from the six geopolitical zones.
All members of the inaugurated National Caretaker Committee were later administered an oath of office
In his acceptance speech, Mark said his appointment was the dawn of a new chapter.
He said, “It is with profound gratitude, humility, and a deep sense of duty that I address you as the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). I am honoured by the confidence reposed in me, and I pledge before you to serve this party with integrity, transparency, courage, and vision.
‘’ Today marks not just the beginning of a new NEC session but the dawn of a new chapter in ADC, a chapter that we must write together with courage, unity, and conviction.
“I wish to acknowledge the hard work, patriotism, sacrifices, and dedication of Hon. Ralph Nwosu and his team, who over the years built this party and were relinquishing leadership to our team in the interest of this country.
“Our leaders and all loyal members who contributed in any way to the growth of this political family also deserve our commendation.
“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.”
The former senate president added, “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 will be fair and just to all party members. We promise to be totally transparent. ADC will have zero tolerance for anti-party and other forms of indiscipline.
“We shall revamp our grassroots leadership structures to reflect modern realities. From the polling units and wards up to the national level, every organ will be re-energized.
“We will open the gates for the next generation. 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 percent of our leadership positions for women. It is also our commitment to have youths below the age of 40 years in our leadership.”
Mark stated, “Within the shortest possible time, the NWC will raise committees to review the manifesto and the constitution of our party 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.
“Therefore, in the coming days, we shall announce a 50-member policy committee to cover health, education, agriculture, technology, security, economy, infrastructure, and other services.
“This underlines ADC’s focus in achieving good governance for Nigerians.
“Finally, we invite all Nigerians to join our party. ADC is the only party that guarantees equal opportunity to everyone regardless of age, gender, religion or region. Our handshake is across all divides.”
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