“David Mark: The APC’s Major Challenge to Nigeria’s Democratic Diversity”
The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has claimed that there is no uncertainty the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), poses the most severe threat to multiparty democracy in Nigeria at present.
While welcoming Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), into the ADC, Mark observed that at a moment when Nigeria ought to be fortifying its democracy, there is a perilous move towards undermining the opposition by the ruling APC.
He stated, “We are observing a continuous effort to amass power in one individual and push our nation toward a single-party system. Kwankwaso’s entry into the ADC symbolizes our united determination to connect with the populace. The ruling party seems intent on leaving the citizenry with no alternative. Nigerians need to have an option. Nigerians ought to have the freedom to choose.”
He further mentioned that in a democracy, involvement is crucial, and any actions taken to restrict the space for participation signify a direct assault on democracy and should be countered through all legal avenues.
The ADC National Chairman elaborated, “What we are witnessing today is one of those legitimate avenues. It serves as our expression of dissent against authoritarian governance in Nigeria. It is an assertion of, ‘Allow the citizens to decide.’ By uniting, we convey a distinct message that Nigeria’s future cannot flourish through oppression; it must prosper through participation. Leadership can’t endure through dominance; it must be attained through trust.”
David Mark articulated that the ADC now serves as the focal point of a new national movement—a movement characterized by inclusion, capability, integrity, and advancement—driven not by force but by average Nigerians resolved to reclaim their nation.
He stated: “This is a movement whose moment has arrived. We invite all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity, faith, region, or political background, to join us. Come alongside us in creating a nation where leadership is responsible, governance prioritizes the people, and every voice has significance. Join us in establishing a country where your region or language does not restrict your opportunities.
“Even while we gather here, we reach out to other political organizations, civil society entities, youth groups, and patriots nationwide. The challenge ahead is more significant than any single group. Now is the moment to transcend personal interests. Now is the moment to embrace selflessness. Now is the moment to forge a wide, disciplined, and unified coalition committed to salvaging our democracy and improving the lives of all Nigerians.
“Let this moment be remembered as the pivotal point, when Nigerians opted for unity over fear, participation over authority, and hope over despair. Together, we can construct the Nigeria we deserve. Together, we can ensure the future we aspire to achieve. The movement has started. The time is now.”
Kwankwaso, while enrolling with the ADC, urged his supporters to go out in large numbers to register with the party and facilitate the essential changes Nigeria needs.
