State chairmen of African Democratic Congress (ADC) have rejected the leadership of Senator David Mark, describing it as an orchestrated political coup.
They also tagged his leadership as a “blatant and reckless subversion of the party and Nigeria’s democratic norms.
In a statement signed by it leader, Hon. Amb. Elias Adokwu and Publicity Secretary, Hon. Godwin Alaku, the chairmen accused the coalition of attempting an unconstitutional hijack of the ADC through manipulation and backdoor dealings.
“We unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms this desperate power grab, which represents not only an aberration of democratic norms but also a grave assault on our collective political values as a nation,” the statement said
The chairmen argued that the move is not a realignment of political ideology but a “civilian junta” seeking control outside legal and democratic processes.
They reference a notorious 2011 election warning from one of the coalition’s ringleaders, stating, “if peaceful change is not possible, violent change is inevitable,” as evidence of a dangerous mindset now resurfacing.
“It is only by the grace of God that our democracy survived then, and we must not allow such reckless adventurism to thrive now,” the statement warns.
They viewed the attempted takeover as an “insult to all those who believe in and have labored for democratic governance in Nigeria.”
They maintained that the coalition’s objective is to fracture the democratic process using “selfish ambition and extra-party inducements.”
The statement emphasises the ADC’s commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law, ideological clarity, and peaceful political engagement,” rejecting any notion that the party is a platform for “political mercenaries or ideological impostors.”
The chairmen advised the coalition to “create their own party or look elsewhere,” declaring, “the ADC is not for sale, not for hijack, and certainly not a dumping ground for discredited power brokers.”
The statement challenges the coalition to disclose their contributions to Nigeria’s democracy, questioning their electoral value or ideological clarity.
They implored the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist recognising any illegal change of leadership.
They urged the Nigerian public and civil society to monitor and resist this “creeping authoritarianism,” and demand that law enforcement investigate unlawful attempts to disrupt political order.
“We, the legitimate custodians of the ADC structure across all states of the federation, reject this illegitimate junta.
“We consider it our patriotic duty to defend the soul of the ADC and protect the sanctity of democratic structures in Nigeria,” the Chairmen said.
