Former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi have been approved by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Executive Community (NEC) to serve as temporary national chairman, secretary, and spokesperson, respectively. A caretaker committee will be headed by them until a national convention is organized.
The appointments come after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s ADC was chosen as the opposition alliance platform for the 2027 elections. Former Edo Governor Osarhiemen Osunbor and former SGF Babachir Lawal are also on the committee.
In order to maintain internal democracy, openness, and inclusivity, David Mark promised to give women 35% of leadership positions and to significantly increase the representation of young people. He pledged measures to fortify grassroots structures and underlined that there would be no room for indiscipline.
“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.
“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, 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% of our leadership positions for women.”
The opposition alliance, according to former ADC Chairman Okey Nwosu, is essential to restoring Nigeria’s democracy.
The ADC presently boasts more than 100 elected politicians, including 46 members of the House of Representatives and 28 senators.
