ADC Emerges as Rallying Point for Opposition Ahead of 2027 Elections as David Mark Sounds the Alarm on Democracy

 

A new chapter in Nigeria's political landscape opened this week, as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was formally adopted as the official platform for a broad-based opposition coalition determined to wrest control from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and safeguard Nigeria's democracy.

During a charged unveiling ceremony in Abuja, Senator David Mark, former Senate President and Interim National Chairman of the ADC, declared the coalition’s resolve to restore Nigeria’s democratic institutions and offer a real alternative to what he described as an increasingly authoritarian government. His tone was one of urgency and responsibility, warning of a looming collapse of democratic order under the APC.

“This is more than an electoral arrangement. It is a rescue mission. Nigeria stands at a dangerous crossroads, and we must act before it’s too late,” Mark stated, addressing an audience of party members, activists, and civil society leaders.

At the heart of the movement is a coalition of opposition political parties, pro-democracy advocates, youth movements, and civil society organizations, all joining forces under the ADC banner. Their collective goal is not merely to defeat the APC in the 2027 general elections but to recalibrate the values and functions of government, which they argue have been severely compromised.

Accusations flew against the ruling party during Mark’s speech. He charged the APC with systematically eroding Nigeria’s democratic institutions and attempting to consolidate power in a way that sidelines all forms of opposition. According to him, what the country faces is not just political mismanagement, but a calculated drift into what he termed “civilian dictatorship.”

Criticism of the APC government’s handling of national security, economic conditions, and public accountability took center stage. Mark lambasted the current administration for what he described as deliberate sabotage of alternative political voices, asserting that the APC had infiltrated opposition structures to weaken them from within.

“We are witnessing a government that prioritizes electoral victory over the lives of its people. Corruption thrives. Accountability is mocked. And instead of providing leadership, they are obsessed with dismantling opposition,” he said.

Mark’s remarks underscored a deeper intent behind the coalition. The aim, he emphasized, is to rebuild the foundation of Nigerian democracy on the values of inclusivity, transparency, equity, and rule of law. He painted the ADC as a vessel capable of uniting a fractured nation, where all segments of society — regardless of region, gender, age, or profession — could collaborate for the common good.

“The ADC is not a party for the elite alone. It is a fortress for democratic revival. Here, the North and the South shall not be rivals, but partners. The youth will not be tokens, but leaders. Women will no longer be sidelined, but fully involved. It is time for Nigeria to rise from the ruins,” Mark proclaimed.

He called on young people, women, and victims of violence and insecurity to take ownership of the country’s future by supporting the coalition. Describing them as the true casualties of the APC’s failures, Mark said their involvement is critical if the coalition’s vision is to materialize.

“This coalition belongs to every Nigerian who still believes in the promise of this nation. We are not asking for blind loyalty. We are asking for shared responsibility. The soul of Nigeria is at stake,” he added.

Beyond electoral ambition, the coalition laid out its broader objective: to transform Nigeria from a country gripped by divisive politics and economic hardship into a model of unity, justice, and competent governance. Its blueprint rejects empty slogans and political theatrics, offering instead a focus on service delivery, civic trust, and institutional rebuilding.

“We do not exist to merely win elections. We exist to guarantee a future. Let history record that when our democracy faltered, we did not retreat. We rose. We fought. And we prevailed,” Mark concluded to applause.

With the ADC now poised as the main platform for Nigeria’s resurgent opposition, all eyes will turn to the coming months. The political terrain may soon shift as this coalition begins its campaign to persuade Nigerians that change is not only necessary, but possible.