Senator David Mark, the Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says the party under his watch will not tolerate candidates’ imposition, anti-party activities, and other forms of indiscipline.

Mark made this known in his remarks at a National Executive Committee (NEC) party meeting in Abuja.

The interim chairman also pledged to serve the party with integrity, transparency, courage, and vision.

He acknowledged the patriotism, sacrifices, and dedication of the outgoing National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, and his team, who he lauded for building the ADC over the years and for relinquishing party leadership in the interest of the country.

He also commended all party leaders and loyal members who contributed to the party’s growth, assuring them that his leadership would be fair and just.

“I assure you that under my leadership, we shall be committed to full democratic practices and principles that abhor imposition and special privileges. Internal democracy, transparency, and accountability will be our mantra.

“We will guarantee collective leadership at all levels. We will build a technically competent bureaucracy for the party and ensure structured financing. All members will truly own the party.

“We shall revamp our grassroots leadership structures to reflect modern realities. From the polling units and wards up to the national level, every organ will be re-energised,” he said.

Mark also promised inclusion for the youth and women.

”Our policies, nominations, and leadership roles will reflect meaningful inclusion of youths and women and not just tokenism.

“This is why we have reserved 35 per cent of our leadership positions for women. It is also our commitment to have youths below the age of 40 years in our leadership,” he said.

He disclosed that the new National Working Committee (NWC) would, within the shortest possible time, raise committees to review the party’s manifesto and constitution to meet and reflect the aspirations of the Nigerian people.

“We shall clearly articulate what we stand for. Nigerians must know us as a party driven by unblemished ideology, progressive policies, and patriotic governance.

“We will not leave it to the discretion of individual candidates to choose what to do with power,” he affirmed.

Mark announced that in the coming days, the ADC would unveil a 50-member policy committee dedicated to key sectors.

These, according to him, were health, education, agriculture, technology, security, economy, and infrastructure, underscoring the party’s focus on achieving good governance for Nigerians.

He urged all Nigerians to join the ADC, promoting it as the only party that guarantees equal opportunity regardless of age, gender, religion, or region.

He also encouraged all ADC members to return to their polling units and begin working at the grassroots, rather than remaining in Abuja.

Earlier in his remarks, Chief Nwosu highlighted the ADC’s significant growth, stating it had transformed from a “small largest party in Nigeria” to a major political force under Mark’s leadership.

Nwosu noted the increasing number of people seeking registration in the ADC nationwide, revealing that the party’s website had crashed three times due to the influx of young people attempting to register online.

He described the adoption of ADC by the national coalition and the unveiling of Mark’s leadership on July 2 as the beginning of a new dawn.

“Within one week, our membership grew from maybe 600 people who were paying membership dues to almost three million who started paying membership dues.

“Some states have told us that we must print a minimum of two million membership cards for them,” he said.

Nwosu urged the judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other democratic institutions in Nigeria to be alive to their responsibilities in delivering their mandates.

An ADC chieftain, Godson Okoye, advised party members to remain hopeful, describing the ADC as a party poised to lead Nigeria towards economic prosperity.

“This journey has just begun; let us encourage ourselves,” Okoye said.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has called on politicians from the northern region of Nigeria to wait until 2031 before contesting for the presidency.

Akume made this statement during a two-day interactive session on government-citizen engagement, held in Kaduna on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. The event, themed “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity,” was organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.

He commended the foundation for providing a platform for meaningful discussions between citizens and the government to explore ways to improve governance, democracy, and development.

Akume noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been in office for two years and two months, highlighting its significant achievements. He stated, “Tinubu promised impartiality in governance, and he has upheld that promise.”

He emphasised the importance of supporting a leader performing well, stating, “There is a need to encourage someone who is doing well so that he can achieve even more.” He also mentioned considerable misinformation in some areas of the media.

“The Tinubu administration has strengthened the country’s security architecture and revitalised agriculture through progressive initiatives. We have seen interventions that have reduced food prices, enhanced food security, and improved infrastructure across the nation,” Akume added.

He expressed confidence that Tinubu is on the path to taking Nigeria to the promised land. He urged northern politicians to refrain from ambitions for the presidency until 2031, saying, “Do not join forces that could hinder the various developments achieved by President Tinubu.”

Akume affirmed that Tinubu has positively impacted all regions of the country and every citizen. The removal of the fuel subsidy, he noted, has provided more funds for subnational governments to undertake significant projects and deliver quality democratic dividends.

He continued, “Tinubu has laid a foundational stone for a New Nigeria through visionary leadership and a commitment to providing dividends of democracy to all citizens and regions without bias. He has appointed numerous individuals from the northern region to work with him, and they are performing well. The narrative that the North is not adequately represented is false.”

He also highlighted developments such as the Super Highway from Sokoto to Bagary, which is longer than the Lagos-Calabar road. Akume mentioned that contracts for road projects from Akwanga through Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and other parts of the northern region will soon be awarded.

In conclusion, he reiterated that given the various achievements of Tinubu over the past two years and two months, patriotic politicians should put aside their presidential ambitions until 2031.

As preparation for the 2027 general elections continues to gather momentum, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) held its 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja, where Senator David Mark and Ogbenu Rauf Aregbesola were sworn in as Interim National Chairman and Secretary, respectively.

In his speech, Sen. Mark pledged to uphold internal democracy, transparency, and youth and women inclusion—reserving 35% of leadership roles for women and ensuring youth under 40 are actively involved. He also announced the formation of a 50-member Policy Committee to review the party’s manifesto and drive reforms in key sectors.

Outgoing Chairman, Hon. Ralph Nwosu, praised the party’s resistance to pressure and financial inducements aimed at turning Nigeria into a one-party state. “ADC said no to dictatorship. We stood our ground for democracy,” he stated.

During the meeting, expelled members (except 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu) were reinstated, and a motion was passed to dissolve the former NWC and BoT, allowing the new leadership to assume full responsibility until new congresses are held.

The meeting was observed by INEC officials according to the electoral acts.