By Olatunbosun Obafemi
Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has clarified that the emerging opposition coalition under the party’s platform has not endorsed any presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued by his media team in Abuja on Tuesday, the former Senate President dismissed growing speculation that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi were frontrunners for the ADC presidential ticket. He emphasized that the party’s current priority is building a credible and inclusive platform capable of uniting Nigerians across political divides.
“The ADC has no preferred or favourite presidential aspirant,” Mark said. “We are first focused on creating a party structure that is attractive to the majority of Nigerians.”
His remarks come amid internal tensions following claims by Dumebi Kachikwu, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, who accused the interim leadership of favouring Atiku. Kachikwu and other stakeholders have warned that premature jockeying for the ticket could fracture the coalition.
Mark, however, rejected the accusations and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and internal democracy. “I don’t own this party more than any of our members,” he stated, urging members to work together to offer Nigerians a genuine alternative in 2027.
Calling on citizens to take ownership of the ADC, Mark positioned the party as a unifying force. “If we do not rise up, and now, they will sink all of us,” he warned, referring to Nigeria’s worsening political and economic crises.
