David Mark Leads ADC, Vows Democracy & Inclusion

Senator David Mark

Senator David Mark, a former Senate President and seasoned politician, was appointed Interim National Chairman of the ADC in early July 2025, following his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This appointment came after a series of meetings and coalitions aimed at repositioning the ADC as a credible opposition force ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party, previously led by Chief Ralph Nwosu, has seen significant growth, with membership surging due to increased interest, particularly from young Nigerians.

Mark's leadership was officially inaugurated at the party's 99th NEC meeting held on July 29, 2025, at the Chelsea Hotel in Abuja, marking the formal transfer of power from Nwosu. This transition is seen as a strategic move to enhance the party's credibility and appeal, with Mark bringing his extensive political experience to the role.

During the NEC meeting, Mark made several key commitments that outline his vision for the ADC:

Mark emphasized that the ADC under his watch will not tolerate the imposition of candidates, anti-party activities, or other forms of indiscipline. This stance is intended to foster a culture of fairness and merit, ensuring that party processes are democratic and transparent.

He reiterated this in statements to the media, saying, “There will be zero tolerance for anti-party and any form of indiscipline; you are either in ADC or not in ADC. No mid-way in this business and those not with us, we will not carry them along.”

Mark pledged to serve the party with integrity, transparency, courage, and vision. This commitment aims to rebuild trust in the party's leadership, addressing past criticisms and positioning the ADC as a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the crisis-ridden PDP.

He acknowledged the patriotism, sacrifices, and dedication of Chief Ralph Nwosu and his team, who he lauded for building the ADC over the years. Nwosu, in his remarks, highlighted the party's transformation from a "small largest party" to a major political force, noting that membership grew from a few hundred to nearly three million within a week of Mark's appointment.

Nwosu also mentioned that the party's website crashed three times due to the influx of young people attempting to register online, underscoring the party's growing appeal.

Mark assured that under his leadership, the ADC would be committed to full democratic practices and principles that abhor imposition and special privileges. Transparency and accountability will be the mantra, ensuring that all party operations are open and fair.

He stated, “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.”

The party plans to guarantee collective leadership at all levels, supported by a technically competent bureaucracy and structured financing. This approach aims to ensure that all members feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for the party's success.

Mark emphasized, “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.”

Mark announced plans to revamp grassroots leadership structures, from polling units and wards up to the national level, to reflect modern realities. This initiative aims to energize every organ of the party and strengthen its presence at the local level.

He encouraged party members to return to their polling units and begin working at the grassroots, rather than remaining in Abuja, saying, “We shall revamp our grassroots leadership structures to reflect modern realities. From the polling units and wards up to the national level, every organ will be re-energised.”

The ADC is committed to meaningful inclusion of youth and women, reserving 35% of leadership positions for women and ensuring that youths below 40 years are represented in key roles. This move goes beyond tokenism, aiming to empower the next generation and address gender imbalances in politics.

Mark stated, “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.”

Mark announced that in the coming days, the ADC would unveil a 50-member policy committee dedicated to key sectors such as health, education, agriculture, technology, security, economy, and infrastructure. This underscores the party's focus on achieving good governance for Nigerians.

He affirmed, “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.”

Mark 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 emphasized the party's inclusivity, saying, “We will open the gates for the next generations, our policies, nominations and roles will reflect such.”

The ADC has experienced significant growth under Mark's leadership, with Chief Nwosu noting that within one week of Mark's appointment, membership grew from a few hundred to nearly three million, with some states requesting two million membership cards. This surge is attributed to the party's appeal to young Nigerians, with the website crashing three times due to high registration traffic.

An ADC chieftain, Godson Okoye, described the party as poised to lead Nigeria towards economic prosperity, saying, “This journey has just begun; let us encourage ourselves.”

While Mark's leadership has garnered support from state chairmen, with all 37 state chairmen and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) declaring their backing after a strategic meeting in Abuja, there are signs of internal controversy. Three aggrieved members have dragged Mark and other interim leaders to court, alleging violations of the party's constitution, which could pose challenges to his leadership.

Mark's leadership marks a pivotal moment for the ADC, signaling a shift towards a more democratic, inclusive, and transparent political party. The focus on internal reforms, grassroots engagement, and policy development sets the ADC apart as it prepares for the 2027 elections. However, the controversy surrounding his appointment and legal challenges could impact the party's cohesion and public perception.

Given the party's growth and Mark's experience, it seems likely that the ADC will continue to attract support, particularly from youth and women, but the internal debates and legal battles will need to be resolved to maintain momentum.

As of July 30, 2025, Senator David Mark's leadership of the ADC is characterized by a strong commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and inclusion. With plans to revamp grassroots structures, empower youth and women, and form a policy committee for key sectors, the ADC is positioning itself as a viable alternative for the 2027 elections. However, internal controversies and legal challenges highlight the complexities of this transition, with ongoing developments likely to shape the party's future trajectory.