Abuja, Nigeria – A broad coalition of Nigerian opposition groups, civil society organizations, and youth movements have announced their unification under the banner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring their primary mission to “rescue our country and save our hard-won democracy” from what they describe as a “creeping descent into total civilian dictatorship” and pervasive “state capture.”
The announcement was made by Senator David Mark, Interim Chairman of The National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria, who delivered a scathing indictment of the current administration.
Speaking in Abuja, Senator Mark asserted that within two years of the government taking power, “it has hijacked all democratic institutions” and engaged in “blatant destabilisation and infiltration of all major opposition political parties” with the singular aim of achieving “total state capture” and eliminating political alternatives for Nigerians in the 2027 general elections.
“This coalition is to prevent our country’s descent into a one-party state,” Senator Mark declared, emphasizing that their collective effort goes beyond merely gaining political power, aiming instead to “rebuild the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.”
The Senator highlighted several critical concerns, including what he termed an unprecedented level of governmental comfort with corruption and a disdain for accountability. He accused the administration of being “more concerned with the next election rather than the survival of the ordinary Nigerians,” leading to widespread hunger and poverty.
Furthermore, Senator Mark painted a grim picture of national security, stating, “We have never seen this level of insecurity across the length and breadth of our nation. Bandits and kidnappers kill Nigerians at will and on daily basis.” He lamented the government’s perceived inaction in addressing the escalating violence.
A significant point of contention raised was the alleged “total emasculation of the legislative institution,” with Senator Mark asserting that the National Assembly has been “reduced to cheerleaders and praise singers of the President.” He called this transformation “a dangerous conspiracy against the Nigerian people,” enabling “whimsical, unconstitutional policies and actions or inactions that have reduced more Nigerians to abject poverty and widened the boundaries of insecurity and fear.”
After extensive deliberations, the coalition formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their political vehicle. Senator Mark stated their commitment to transforming the ADC into “a strong political party, not merely as another electoral vehicle but as a fortress and platform of our revived democracy.” He envisioned a party where “members… will reign supreme” and “all patriots are invited,” fostering unity between North and South, youth and elders, men and women, farmers and technocrats.
The coalition outlined a new path characterized by unity, service, action, compassion, transparency, inclusion, real progress, performance, rule of law, and justice. Senator Mark concluded with a rallying call: “Let it be known today, across Nigeria and beyond: The opposition is united. The platform is ADC. The time is now. The mission is clear: Rescue Nigeria. Rebuild Nigeria. Return power to the people.”
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