Former Senate President and current National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has issued a defiant message to political adversaries, declaring that the party will not bow to “intimidation or administrative bottlenecks.”
Speaking at the ADC National Convention held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Rainbow Event Centre in Garki, Abuja, Mark directly addressed the mounting institutional pressures facing the opposition coalition.
The convention, which drew major opposition figures including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, took place against a backdrop of logistical challenges. Party officials had earlier raised the alarm, alleging they were denied access to public venues like Eagle Square and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
In a viral video shared by SYMFONI TV, Mark took aim at figures he described as architects of these obstacles, specifically referencing FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Prof. Joash Amupitan.
“We will not surrender,” Mark declared to the cheering delegates. “The administrative bottlenecks and political tensions we faced ahead of this convention were intended to frustrate our preparations and discourage participation. They have failed.”
Mark characterized the difficulties in securing a venue and the ongoing leadership litigations as part of a “broader pattern of pressure” designed to suppress opposition voices in Nigeria. He reaffirmed the ADC’s resilience, insisting that the party remains a credible alternative for Nigerians seeking change ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Political participation is a constitutional right,” Mark warned. “We are operating strictly within Nigeria’s democratic space, and no amount of external interference will destabilize our structure or limit our activities.”
The convention was particularly significant as it served as a platform for the burgeoning opposition coalition. Despite an earlier court ruling on March 12, 2026, regarding leadership structures and INEC’s initial refusal to recognize certain factions, the Mark-led NWC proceeded with the event, emphasizing the “collective ownership” of their political transformation agenda.
The convention concluded with a robust question-and-answer session, where delegates and stakeholders discussed strategies for strengthening the party’s global visibility and ensuring transparent internal processes through the use of digital tools and the party portal.
