The national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sen. David Mark, on Tuesday formally declared the party’s convention in a packed auditorium open in Abuja, delivering a charged and defiant speech that framed the gathering as a resistance against political pressure, institutional obstacles, and what he described as a shrinking democratic space.
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“This is not really a convention. It is a convergence of purpose, a meeting of minds,” Mark said, setting the tone for a high-stakes assembly that has drawn key opposition figures and political actors from across Nigeria.
According to him, the convention was “not accidental” but a response to “a shared recognition” of the country’s direction, citing “increased austerity,” “erosion of the rule of law,” and “weakened trust” as conditions that compelled action.
“We have witnessed increased austerity in our country’s lives and livelihoods. We have observed the growing erosion of the rule of law. We have seen the shrinking democratic space,” he said, warning that the realities facing Nigerians are “difficult” and “terrifying.”
Mark used the platform to recount what he described as deliberate attempts to frustrate the convention, alleging that forces moved to block venues and disrupt logistics even hours before the event.
“There were attempts to prevent us from accessing venues… even as we sat here last night, there were efforts to pressure the owner of this venue to cancel our reservations,” he said.
“But here we are,” he said.
He said the party’s resilience in the face of those challenges had strengthened internal cohesion. “You have not weakened us, you have welded us together,” he declared, in what appeared to be a direct message to political opponents.
Aiming for recent developments involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the chairman said actions against the party had raised “fundamental questions” about Nigeria’s democratic processes.
“Recent developments have raised fundamental questions about the process that governs our democracy,” Mark said, adding that “forces that feared what a united ADC represents came for us through the courts, through institutions, through bureaucratic obstructions.”
Despite the pressure, he insisted the party would not back down, “We will not surrender, we will not retreat,” he said, warning that yielding would amount to becoming complicit in the destruction of our democracy.
The speech cast the convention as more than a party event, describing it as part of a broader struggle for political relevance and democratic survival.
“What is at stake is not just about the ADC or the opposition. It is the very survival of democracy,” he said.
Mark also extended a call to opposition figures across party lines to unite, stating, “Nigeria’s challenges go beyond partisanship and require a collective response to what he termed creeping dictatorship.
“The ADC cannot be wished away. The ADC cannot be litigated into silence. The ADC belongs to the Nigerian people,” he added, pointing to the turnout of delegates as proof of public support.
The convention drew a heavy lineup of political figures and members of the party, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi; former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola; and former ADC national chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Also present were Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi; former Imo State governor Emeka Iheodioha; banker and economist Muhammed Hayatu-Deen; former SGF Babachir Lawal; former Cross River governor Liyel Imoke; and former Sokoto governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
Others included political economist Pat Utomi; former minister Solomon Dalung; former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami; former APC national chairman John Odigie-Oyegun; former Kwara governor Abdulfatah Ahmed; former Ebonyi governor Sam Egwu; and former presidential adviser Ben Obi.
Also in attendance were former DSS director Lawal Daura, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Kabiru Gaya, and a representative of the Chinese government, underscoring the international interest in the gathering.
The chairman described the convention as his first under the current leadership, calling it “one of the most critical” moments for the party, not because of personalities but because of “what this convention represents.”
“It represents the survival of opposition democracy,” he said.
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