In a strong display of party unity and political realignment, all 36 state chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have pledged total loyalty and support to the new Interim National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by former Senate President, Senator David Mark.
The chairmen made this commitment following a closed-door meeting held in Abuja, amid rising speculation that the national leadership crisis rocking the party had divided its ranks. The gathering saw every state represented and aligned on a single goal; to rebuild the party and position it as a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
WATCH FULL VIDEO ADC Chairmen backing ON SYMFONI TV
Addressing the press shortly after the meeting, a key leader of the coalition reaffirmed that the current leadership has no intention of displacing or undermining state officials.
“We didn’t come to ADC to push anyone aside,” he stated. “We are here as equal partners with a shared vision. The mandate is to build a coalition strong enough to rescue Nigeria from the ineffective and inefficient government of the APC.”
He emphasized that the unity and presence of all 37 chairmen was proof that the party is intact and unshaken, contrary to media speculation.
“The attendance list speaks for itself. Every state chairman was here. No one was coerced. We simply wanted to make it clear that we are not here to hijack the party but to strengthen it.”
Speaking on behalf of the Forum of State Chairmen, a ranking member confirmed that the new direction taken by the party had been fully discussed and agreed upon.
“All of us were carried along. No decision was taken without our input. We sat down together, deliberated, and agreed on the steps that brought us to where we are now,” he said. “So this is not an imposition; it’s a collective decision backed by all of us.”
He also dismissed claims of dissent within the rank-and-file, noting that any chairman willing to step aside could do so voluntarily, but that none had raised any objections so far.
A member of the party’s new leadership structure stressed that collaboration, not division, is at the heart of the ADC’s identity.
“Handshake is in our DNA,” he declared. “This is a party built on dialogue, respect, and shared purpose. What we did today was a continuation of our tradition of consensus-building.”
According to him, the ADC had already held four National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings where the idea of a coalition was adopted, and Senator David Mark’s leadership is simply a product of that ongoing process.
“The coalition has been in the works for over a year and a half. It wasn’t rushed. It is rooted in due process and constitutional compliance,” he said.
On reports that the federal government sees the ADC as “mortally wounded,” the coalition leaders dismissed such narratives as mere propaganda.
“They once said our coalition was dead on arrival. Then they changed their minds and said we wouldn’t last six months. Now here we are, growing stronger and more united. Let them keep guessing while we keep working,” one leader said.
He added that the ADC is focused on building structures, mobilizing grassroots support, and positioning itself as a formidable alternative in 2027.
On the party’s controversial decision not to participate in the just-concluded Lagos local government elections, Lagos ADC Chairman, George Ashu, said the move was strategic and rooted in constitutional principles.
ALSO TRENDING:
Senate Mourns 2-Year-Old Killed by NDLEA Officer, Urges Tinubu to Approve ₦200 Million Compensation
‘Shettima Spoke the Truth,Tinubu Has No Power To Remove A Governor’ – ADC Fires Back
“We challenged the legality of operating with 57 LCDAs when the constitution only recognizes 20 LGAs. Participating would have meant endorsing that illegality,” he explained.
However, he clarified that individual candidates who had personal strengths in certain areas were not stopped from contesting under the party’s name.
Ashu also criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying its structure and operations are part of the systemic dysfunction Nigeria must reform.
“INEC cannot be truly independent when the President appoints its chairman and funds its operations. That’s a structural flaw. It’s part of the bigger conversation about reforming governance in Nigeria,” he said.
He called for electoral reforms that guarantee neutrality and operational independence, warning that without such changes, Nigerians will continue to experience flawed elections and delayed bye-elections.
The ADC leadership announced that following the Abuja meeting, it would begin a nationwide sensitization and mobilization campaign.
“We are not waiting for 2027 to start preparing. From now, we’ll be engaging citizens, recruiting volunteers, and expanding our grassroots base,” one official said. “We are coming with strategy, with wisdom, and with a collective desire to rescue this country.”
He also revealed that members of other political parties, including APC and Labour Party, had begun defecting to ADC in Lagos and other parts of the country.
“Our doors are open. People are tired of recycled failure. We are offering something fresh; a coalition powered by competence, character, and courage.”
Comments 3