David Mark Sends Strong Warning To Peter Obi Over ADC Coalition
The Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sen. David Mark, has warned that every member must fully commit to the party if he or she wanted to be carried along in its activities
Mark said this in his remarks at a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party in Abuja.
Analysts says the ADC interim chairman’s statement is obviously directed at chieftains of the party like Peter Obi, the 2023 candidate of Labour Party who is still romancing his former party.
Peter Obi who had insisted that he will contest the 2027 presidential election had repeatedly insisted that he is still a member of Labour Party despite being linked to the opposition coalition’s ADC. It was believed that Obi is sticking to Labour Party because of fears that he may not get the presidential ticket of ADC.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi have also indicated that they will contest for the presidential ticket of ADC for the 2027 general election.
While Amaechi and Atiku have resigned from their parties, Peter Obi has continued to maintain that he remains member of Labour Party.
There are also speculations that Peter Obi may be offered the presidential ticket of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the 2027 election.
But Mark, in the statement he delivered at the NEC meeting said ADC will not tolerate such lack of commitment which he described anti-party activity from any of its members.
“You are either in ADC or you are not in ADC. There is no mid-way in this business. And those who are not with us, we will not carry them along,” Mark said.
The interim chairman also commended all party leaders and loyal members who contributed to the party’s growth, assuring them that his leadership would be fair and just.
“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 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-energised,” he said.
”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 per cent of our leadership positions for women. It is also our commitment to have youths below the age of 40 years in our leadership,” he said.
According to him, the new National Working Committee (NWC) would, within the shortest possible time, raise committees to review the party’s manifesto and constitution 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,” he affirmed.
Mark announced that in the coming days, the ADC would unveil a 50-member policy committee dedicated to key sectors.
These according to him were, health, education, agriculture, technology, security, economy, and infrastructure, underscoring the party’s focus on achieving good governance for Nigerians.
He urged all Nigerians to join the ADC, promoting it as the only party that guarantees equal opportunity regardless of age, gender, religion, or region.
He also encouraged all ADC members to return to their polling units and begin working at the grassroots, rather than remaining in Abuja.
Earlier in his remarks, Chief Nwosu highlighted the ADC’s significant growth, stating it had transformed from a “small largest party in Nigeria” to a major political force under Mark’s leadership.
Nwosu noted the increasing number of people seeking registration in the ADC nationwide, revealing that the party’s website had crashed three times due to the influx of young people attempting to register online.
He described the adoption of ADC by the national coalition and unveiling Mark led leadership on July 2 as the beginning of a new dawn.
“Within one week, our membership grew from maybe 600 people who were paying membership dues to almost three million who started paying membership dues.
“Some states have told us that we must print a minimum of two million membership cards for them,” he said.
Nwosu urged the judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other democratic institutions in Nigeria to be alive to their responsibilities in delivering their mandates.
