The African Democratic Congress (ADC), the party’s National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, and National Secretary, Saheed Abdullahi, have formally resigned from their positions on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
The announcement, made on Wednesday, marks a strategic political realignment aimed at strengthening opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The resigning officials handed over leadership to former Senate President David Mark and former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, who will serve as Interim National Chairman and Interim National Secretary, respectively. Both men are expected to work closely with the existing NWC members of the ADC to steer the party through its next phase.
“Beyond Politics and Power”: Nwosu’s Exit Statement
In his farewell address titled “Beyond Politics and Power,” Nwosu revealed that the leadership transition followed over 18 months of negotiations with the National Opposition Coalition Group, culminating in 12 separate NWC meetings before consensus was reached.
Contrary to a statement made earlier in the day by Dr. Isa Matara, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, which claimed the wider party organs were not consulted, Nwosu strongly refuted the allegation. He maintained that the entire NWC and National Executive Committee (NEC) were not only involved but also gave their full backing.
“I got the commitment of almost all the men on this table, and they are all decent men,” Nwosu declared. “We agreed to bury our differences and our positions for the sake of Nigeria.”
He added that the appointment of Mark and Aregbesola was not about individual ambitions but about creating a unified, credible front capable of restoring the nation’s democratic values and protecting its citizens.
“We want to ensure a credible leadership that will restore the pride of our people,” he said. “Look at David Mark and Aregbesola—you’ll see it’s not about self but about a new beginning.”
Nwosu further assured the incoming leaders that they would receive full support from the existing NWC and the party’s Board of Trustees.
David Mark Sounds Alarm on State of the Nation
In his first address as Interim National Chairman, Senator David Mark delivered a searing critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, stating that Nigeria is on the brink of “total civilian dictatorship.”
“This coalition of national political opposition groups goes beyond gaining political power,” Mark declared. “It is a concerted effort to rebuild the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.”
He accused the government of hijacking democratic institutions and attempting to create a one-party state by infiltrating opposition parties.
“The blatant destabilisation and infiltration of all major opposition political parties is aimed at achieving only one objective: to enhance total state capture and leave Nigerians with no alternative in 2027.”
Mark lambasted the administration for its poor governance, stating it had become “at home with corruption,” prioritizing political gain over the welfare of its citizens.
“We have never seen a government so totally consumed with politicking that governance is abandoned,” he said, noting the country’s deepening insecurity and widespread poverty.
National Assembly: A Captive Arm of the Executive?
Senator Mark did not spare the current legislature, criticizing the 10th National Assembly for becoming a “cheerleading squad” of the executive rather than a check on its powers.
“The transformation of Nigeria’s National Assembly to a mere appendage of presidential authority is a dangerous conspiracy against the Nigerian people,” he warned.
He underscored that this erosion of legislative independence had enabled the government to impose unconstitutional policies without resistance, deepening the nation’s socio-economic woes.
A Broad Coalition of Political Heavyweights
The high-profile event brought together prominent figures from across Nigeria’s political spectrum—signaling the seriousness of the new opposition front.
Attendees included:
Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate
Peter Obi and Senator Datti Ahmed, Labour Party presidential and vice-presidential candidates
Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor
Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation (APC)
Abubakar Malami (SAN), former Attorney General of the Federation
Odigie Oyegun, former APC National Chairman
Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, former Edo State Governor
Their presence underscores a unified national push to counter what many perceive as a growing threat to democratic governance under the APC-led federal government.
This historic move could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections, marking the rise of a multi-party opposition coalition aimed not just at winning power but at preserving the soul of Nigeria’s democracy.
