Felicia Asuquo
The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark, has accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of undermining democratic freedoms and attempting to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing a world press conference, Mark said Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999 was expected to deepen democratic institutions and governance, but recent developments suggest otherwise.
According to him, democracy is sustained by the freedom to choose, participate and associate, noting that these critical freedoms have come under pressure in the last three years.
Mark alleged that there has been a deliberate attempt to create a political environment where President Tinubu would emerge as the only viable option in the 2027 elections, despite growing economic hardship and insecurity across the country.
He further argued that the worsening poverty level and deteriorating security situation were consequences of what he described as governance failures, adding that efforts to weaken opposition parties were aimed at retaining power.
Background to Coalition
The ADC chairman explained that the opposition coalition emerged from a collective effort to defend democratic values and resist what he described as a sustained assault on opposition political parties.
He said coalition leaders carefully chose the ADC after conducting due diligence and fulfilling constitutional and legal requirements guiding political parties.
Mark disclosed that a National Executive Committee meeting of the party held on July 29, 2025, and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission, resolved to dissolve the National Working Committee and appoint a caretaker committee.
He said the caretaker committee included himself as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, alongside other party officials.
Following the meeting, he noted that the resolutions were formally communicated to INEC, which later uploaded the names of the new leadership on September 9, 2025.
Leadership Dispute
Mark also addressed the legal dispute involving former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, who he said resigned from his position on May 17, 2025, with the resignation communicated to INEC on August 12, 2025.
Despite this, he said Bala approached the court on September 2, 2025, seeking to be recognised as chairman of the party.
Mark stated that by the time Bala approached the court, INEC was already aware of the new leadership inaugurated on July 29, 2025, as well as his earlier resignation.
He added that while the matter was pending, the party’s legal team approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
According to him, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and directed all parties, including INEC, to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending further determination of the case.