The Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has stated that the party’s interim leadership does not have a preferred presidential aspirant.
In a statement issued by his media team on Tuesday in Abuja, Mark stressed that all party members remain equal stakeholders.
His clarification follows recent declarations by key figures in the ADC coalition, including 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former APC presidential aspirant Rotimi Amaechi, who have both signalled their intention to contest the 2027 presidential election against President Bola Tinubu. Former PDP presidential candidate and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also hinted at another run.
Amid these developments, the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, accused Mark’s interim leadership of favouring Atiku. The accusations have stirred mixed reactions and concerns that the ambitions of the three leading contenders could create divisions within the party.
Responding to the allegations, Mark assured Nigerians that the party would operate with full transparency under his watch.
“The ADC has no preferred or favourite presidential aspirant but is focused on building a platform that will be attractive and acceptable to the majority of Nigerians,” Mark stated.
He added, “We are doing this because we don’t want this great ship called Nigeria to sink. If we don’t rise up now, they will sink all of us. I don’t own this party more than any other member. I urge all members to show Nigerians that ADC is different — a party ready to run democracy properly in our country.”
He called on party members to set aside their differences and work together, emphasising that unity is crucial before discussing individual ambitions.
“We must bond together to build the party before we can talk of ambitions,” he said.
Mark also urged the ruling APC to stop targeting individuals and instead focus on fixing policy failures.
“If they admitted insecurity is bad and promised Nigerians improvement but instead made it worse, would Nigerians continue to support them? The answer is no,” Mark said.
He concluded by calling on Nigerians to work together to rebuild the country for the benefit of future generations.
ADEOLA KUNLE
