- Safiu Kehinde
Former Senate President, David Mark, has delivered his first address as the interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring the party’s mission to rebuild Nigeria’s democracy.
NPO Reported the adoption of the ADC by the National Opposition Coalition Group (NOCG) with Mark appointed as its interim National Chairman while former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, was appointed as the interim National Secretary.
Ralph Nwosu, founder of the ADC, officially handed over the party’s leadership to David Mark at the Yar’Adua event centre in Abuja on Wednesday.
Delivering his first address as the interim National Chairman, Mark noted that the coalition party was birthed out of the collective need to save the soul of Nigeria and rebuild the crumbling pillars of the country’s democracy.
“We are gathered here this afternoon in pursuit of our shared mission to rescue our country and save our hard-won democracy.
“We address you formally, today on the operational focus and structure of the new political coalition that brings together Nigeria’s diverse opposition groups, political parties, youth organisations, the civil society and other patriots from all corners of our vast land, committed to saving the very soul of our Republic.
“Let it be known to all, that this coalition of national political opposition groups goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.” Mark said.
Admitting to the likely challenges to be faced by the party, the interim ADC National Chairman however held that the challenges are worth facing as he accused the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) of destabilising and infiltrating all major opposition political parties in order to establish a one-party state.
Mark further decried the spate of corruption, insecurity, and economic hardship under the APC.
“Today marks the beginning of what we believe would be a long, difficult and tedious journey. However, it is a journey that we are prepared to undertake, united in our collective belief that no price or sacrifice is too high in the service of our fatherland.
“It is on record that within two years of the current administration coming to power, it has hijacked all democratic institutions, and sent our country on a creeping descent into total civilian dictatorship.
“The blatant destabilisation and infiltration of all major opposition political parties is aimed at achieving only one objective, to enhance total state capture and leave Nigerians with no alternative or options in 2027. This coalition is to prevent our country’s descent into a one-party state.
“We have never seen a government so much at home with corruption, a government that disdains accountability in all ramifications.
“A government more concerned with the next election rather than the survival of the ordinary Nigerians. A government so totally consumed with politicking that governance is abandoned, while the majority of our people wallow in hunger and poverty.
“We have never seen this level of insecurity across the length and breadth of our nation. Bandits and kidnappers kill Nigerians at will and on daily basis.
“Yet, this ongoing tragedy has not moved the government to any action that would stop these mindless killings and stem the tide of needless bloodshed. Indeed, the Nigerian people deserve a government that protects them and make them feel safe in their own homes.” Mark said.
The former Senate President further accused the APC of emasculating the National Assembly, reducing the legislative arm to “cheerleaders and praise singers of the President”.
While stating that the labour of the country’s heroes is under attack with the nation facing a mortal danger, Mark assured Nigerians of ADC’s readiness to revive the country, adding that the coalition belongs to all Nigerians.
“Equally disturbing, is the total emasculation of the legislative institution. Never in our history, have we witnessed a National Assembly where legislators, the trustees of the very bastion of our democracy, saddled with the sacred duty to protect Nigerians from misuse of executive power, are reduced to cheerleaders and praise singers of the President, head of the executive arm.
“Without doubt, the transformation of Nigeria’s National Assembly to a mere appendage of presidential authority is a dangerous conspiracy against the Nigerian people.
“It is the reason why the government is able to get away with various whimsical, unconstitutional policies and actions or inactions that have reduced more Nigerians to abject poverty and widened the boundaries of insecurity and fear.
“It is imperative to state that our democracy has a history, which is the reason why we all affirm that the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain.
“Today, the labour of our heroes is under vicious attack and our Republic faces a mortal danger. This coalition is therefore for all Nigerians who share in our belief that all of us, the young and the old, man and woman, rich and poor, living with disabilities or not, town dwellers or villagers, we all have the patriotic duty to save our country.
“Accordingly, to all suffering Nigerians who are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet; for whom the next meal is not guaranteed, this coalition is for you.
“To all those citizens who believe that Nigeria’s democracy is worth fighting for, this coalition is for you.” He said.