We’ll not surrender, David Mark

David Mark, the embattled National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has declared that the party will not back down in its quest to take power in 2027, insisting that the fight is about the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.

Speaking on Tuesday at the party’s national convention in Abuja, Mark said the ADC remains resolute despite mounting challenges, internal disputes, and external pressures.

“We will not surrender, because what is at stake is not just about the ADC or the opposition. It is the very survival of our democracy, To surrender is to yield to tyranny and become complicit in the destruction of that democracy,” he said.

Mark described the convention as a defining moment in Nigeria’s political history, noting that it symbolises the resilience of opposition forces in the country.

According to him, attempts to weaken the party through institutional and legal obstacles have only strengthened its resolve.

He alleged that forces threatened by a united ADC had deployed various tactics to frustrate the party, including interference involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Despite these challenges, he said the large turnout at the convention demonstrated that the party could not be silenced.

“The ADC cannot be wished away. It cannot be litigated into silence. It belongs to the Nigerian people,” Mark stated.

The former Senate President also criticised the current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying it has failed to address the nation’s pressing challenges. He assured Nigerians that an ADC-led government would prioritise accountability, transparency, and inclusive governance.

Mark called on opposition leaders across party lines to unite in what he described as a patriotic duty to rescue the country from “creeping dictatorship and exploitative governance.”

He emphasised that the ADC’s mission goes beyond winning elections, describing it as a generational responsibility to rebuild Nigeria and restore public confidence in politics.

“As long as we remain united, disciplined, and committed to our principles, this party will shape the future of this country,” he added.