The National Opposition Coalition Group has formally adopted ADC as its platform for the 2027 elections. In what looks like the first major breakthrough in the efforts of the opposition coalition to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, the movement, late Tuesday night, formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its official political platform for the 2027 elections.
It is anticipated that the party will be formally unveiled and its interim leadership announced at about 2PM today (Wednesday) in Asokoro-Abuja.
Meanwhile, the coalition has appointed former Senate President David Mark as its national chairman and former governor of Osun State and immediate past Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as national secretary, while former Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi was made spokesperson of the party.
Following his appointment as the interim chairman of ADC, former President of the Senate, David Mark, a founding member of the PDP, has tendered his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
David Mark has been, from the outset, one of the political figures that set up the National Opposition Coalition Group, consisting of opposition parties and figures coming together to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement dated June 27 and signed by him which announced his resignation, the former Senate President cited the leadership crisis in the PDP as the main reason for his resignation.
Mark’s statement reads, “I bring warm greetings to you and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otukpo Ward 1, and by extension, to the entire Benue State and Nigeria. I write to formally inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the party with immediate effect.
“You may recall that over the years, I have remained firm and deeply committed to the ideals of the PDP. Even when nearly all stakeholders departed the party following our loss in the 2015 presidential election, I pledged to remain the last man standing.
“I have worked steadfastly to rebuild, reconcile, and reposition the party, efforts which, without sounding immodest, helped restore the PDP to national relevance and made it once again a party of choice for many Nigerians.
“However, recent events marked by deepening divisions, persistent leadership crises, and irreconcilable differences have reduced the party to a shadow of its former self, subjecting it to public ridicule.
“After wide consultations with my family, friends, and political associates, I have resolved to join the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria, as part of the collective effort to rescue our nation and preserve our hard-earned democracy.
The appointed interim national secretary of the party, Rauf Aregbesola, has also released a statement announcing his acceptance of the appointment.
In the statement Aregbesola said; “It is with deep humility, a profound sense of duty, and unwavering hope for our people, nation, race and party and that I accept the appointment as The National Secretary of our great party.
“I thank the leadership for the trust reposed in me. But more than that, I thank every committed member of this party are those who still believe that politics can be a force for good, people who believe that party forms government and must control it.
“Those who believe in the supremacy of the party in a democracy and all products of democratic contests.
“Those who recognise that parties must stand for and with the people in the promotion of their interests and aspirations. That parties therefore are not merely machines for winning elections but institutions for mobilizing, organizing, energizing, educating, empowering and encouraging the people towards their emancipation and development.
“Let me begin by saying this: a political party is not a platform for opportunism. It is not a mere vehicle to power for the few, nor a tool for personal ambition. A political party, in its truest form, is a living institution built on values, guided by ideals, and accountable to the people it seeks to serve.
“Throughout Africa’s history, and particularly in the legacy of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa; a 113 year- behemoth of party organization that is impeccable in its credibility as a model of supremacy of party over its creation (government and popularly elected officials) have seen what a party grounded in ideology, principle, and people-centered struggle can achieve.
“The ANC is not perfect but it stands for something. It was forged in resistance, sharpened by vision, and led by men and women who believe in justice, dignity, equality, inclusivity of all interests and true freedom. It has character. It has soul. It is therefore a true platform for the expression of their aspirations.
“Sadly, in Nigeria today, we cannot say the same about many of our political parties.
“Our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth. They are empty shells merging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality. There is little regard for the people, and even less for the country.
“That is not the kind of party we must be. That is not the kind of party I will serve.
“As The National Secretary, I will work to build a party that has a clear ideological compass, a party that is absolutely committed to the people, rooted in democratic values, rule of law, social justice, accountability, transparency and national development. A party that listens and works for to the people, not only during elections, but every single day.
“We must become an institution where: Internal democracy is not just preached but practiced; Intra-party competition is transparent, fair, and just; All party structures from the ward to the national level and function effectively and efficiently; Young people, women, and the marginalized have a real voice, not symbolic inclusion; All special and critical interests(security, educators, farmers, workers, women, youth, professionals, people with special needs, etc., must be recognised and allowed to have autonomous structures within the party.
“We will model international best practices in party organization, administration, and ethics.
“We will study what works from South Africa to Sweden, from Chile to Kenya, and adapt what fits our local reality. Discipline, order, clarity of purpose, and service to the people must define us.”
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