Senator David Mark, Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has declared a zero-tolerance stance on candidate imposition, anti-party activities, and other forms of indiscipline within the party.
Speaking at a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, Mark pledged to lead the ADC with integrity, transparency, courage, and vision, promising an era of internal democracy and grassroots rejuvenation.
“We shall be committed to full democratic practices that abhor imposition and special privileges. Internal democracy, transparency, and accountability will be our mantra,” Mark stated.
He praised the outgoing Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, for his patriotism and dedication to building the party, lauding his decision to step down in the interest of national progress.
Mark unveiled key plans for restructuring the party, including:
Establishment of a technically sound party bureaucracy
Structured financing to ensure financial discipline
Reactivation of grassroots organs from polling units to national level
Promotion of collective leadership and shared ownership
As part of his commitment to inclusivity, Mark announced that 35% of party leadership positions will be reserved for women, while youths under the age of 40 will also occupy strategic roles.
“Our policies, nominations, and leadership roles will reflect meaningful inclusion, not just tokenism,” he emphasized.
To align with national aspirations, the party will review its constitution and manifesto, and in the coming days, establish a 50-member policy committee focusing on:
Health
Education
Agriculture
Technology
Security
Economy
Infrastructure
Mark positioned the ADC as a values-driven alternative to traditional parties, emphasizing ideology, patriotism, and policy-based governance.
He called on members to return to their polling units and work from the grassroots level, saying, “We must build this party from the bottom up—not from Abuja.”
Earlier, Chief Ralph Nwosu noted that under Mark’s leadership, the ADC had seen explosive growth in membership.
“Within a week, our dues-paying members jumped from 600 to nearly three million. Our website crashed three times from the influx,” he revealed, citing overwhelming demand for membership cards in some states.
Nwosu described the party’s recent developments as “a new dawn” and urged INEC, the judiciary, and other institutions to uphold their constitutional responsibilities in support of democracy.
In a final charge, ADC chieftain Godson Okoye urged members to stay focused and hopeful:
“This journey has just begun. Let us encourage ourselves. The ADC is ready to lead Nigeria into economic prosperity.”
