…says no Surrender , no reteat
By MBACHU GODWIN, Abuja
African Democratic Congress, ADC, yesterday, despite all hurdles made good it’s decision to hold its first National Convention to elect National leaders of the party.
The convention which took place at the Rainbow event center , Abuja , after several denial of venue by the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, authorities saw leaders boasting f the party, former Vice president, Atiku Abubakar, former Labour party presidential candidate and governor of Anambra state, Mr. Peter Obi, former governor of Rivers state , Rotimi Amaechi , former governor of Kano state, Rabiu Kwankwanso, former governor of Soloto state, former National Chairman of All Progressive Congress APC and governor of Edo state , former governor of Cross River State, former governor of Imo and Ebonyi states , Achike Udenwa and Sam Egwu amongst others.
David Mark led National Working Committee, NWC , was affirmed through voting by the delegates .
Speaking, National Chairman, David Mark who declared that the party will not surrender not retreat to external forces urged the elected officials to be transparent and mobilize for the party, reminding them that the party is supreme.
“I welcome you – not merely to a convention – but to a moment that history will remember
Years from now, Nigerians will look back at this day, Tuesday, April 14, 2026 – and ask: where were you when the ADC stood up? Where were you when the government made every attempt to silence the voice of the people and in response thousands of sons and daughters of Nigeria gathered today in Abuja and said unequivocally: democracy will not die on our watch.
“Today answers that question. You will be amongst those who answered loud and clear that you were here. And your presence alone is an act of courage.
This is the first National Convention of the African Democratic Congress under my leadership as National Chairman and let me be clear: it is one of the most significant gatherings in recent Nigerian democratic history. Not because of who stands on this podium, but because of what this convention represents: the unyielding survival of opposition democracy in Nigeria
The African Democratic Congress was founded on conviction and a strong belief that politics must be a call to service and not a ladder for personal ambitions.
Since we started this journey, we have faced many challenges, and faced many hurdles. Our party has faced fierce and unprecedented betrayal. Let us not pretend otherwise.
Recent developments involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have raised fundamental questions about the process that govern our democracy.
Forces that feared what a united ADC represents came for us; through the courts, through institutions, through bureaucratic obstruction. They sought to stop this convention from happening. They removed our names from official portals. They denied us preferred venues. They deployed every instrument available to them to ensure that you – the delegates, the members, the owners of this party – would never gather.
“At our recent press briefing, we made it clear that the integrity of democratic institutions must be protected at all times. We also made it clear that in an ever-shrinking democratic space that is orchestrated by those in the ruling party, the ADC will not bow, we will not cower, and we will not retreat.
Dear party members and leaders, let me remind all of us that strong political movements are not built in moments of ease and in comfort. They are built in times like this, when a broken nation cries out for change and the people look for those who would lead with commitment and honesty.
“We will not surrender, because what is at stake is not just about the ADC or the opposition. It is the very survival of our democracy. To surrender therefore is to yield to tyranny and therefore become complicit in the destruction of our democracy.
And let us here be the answer to every doubt, every threat, and every shenanigan designed to keep Nigeria trapped in a one-party future. The ADC cannot be wished away. The ADC cannot be litigated into silence. The ADC belongs to the Nigerian people – and the Nigerian people have spoken by showing up today.
“I say to those who orchestrated these obstacles: you have not weakened us. You have welded us together. Every attempt to suppress this party has only deepened the resolve of our members, widened our coalition, and reminded Nigerians why a strong opposition is not optional; it is essential to democracy’s survival.
Across Nigeria, there is a growing awareness, by a generation that desires a different country, a country that nurtures their talents and support their ambitions. This generation is asking tough questions of leadership and those who seek to lead. We are greatly delighted to see that under the harsh light of this scrutiny, the African Democratic Congress is emerging as a credible alternative, not necessarily because of who we are, but because our vision and ambition align with their own. The reason we are here, the genuine re-commitment to putting the people first, is the very reason that they continue to believe, despite the daunting challenges that they face today, that Nigeria, this great country, will rediscover itself.
“We in the African Democratic Congress recognise this moment as a moment of great opportunity, as well as a moment of great responsibility. Our objective is not merely political success or a mere quest for power. We see it as a duty to ourselves and to posterity to demonstrate to all Nigerians that something good can come out of politics, and that democracy can actually deliver a better life that they seek. This is the fundamental goal of our party.
We view this as a generational challenge. And this is why we say to all opposition leaders in the country, regardless of your political party, come, let us work together to save our country. The challenges that we are confronted with goes beyond partisanship, it is a patriotic duty to rescue our country from creeping dictatorship and exploitative governance.
“Dear party men and women, let me congratulate us all for the successful conduct of our congresses. Despite the obstacles put on our way, we have stayed focused on the bigger picture, and together, we scaled through those difficulties to deliver a successful and credible congress across the country. This shows that we are successfully planting our roots in villages and communities across the length and breadth of our country; that we are providing platforms for millions of our people to participate in the process of governing their own country. This is the very essence of democracy.
“To those who have emerged as leaders at the local and state levels, I extend my congratulations. Your emergence carries responsibility. Leadership within this party must always be defined by service and accountability. You must also recognise that we are a coalition, a coming together of diverse voices, experiences, and aspirations. Therefore, you must lead with a deep sense of responsibility, openness, and inclusion. Your doors must remain open to all members of this coalition, and to others who are inspired to join us on this journey. Leadership in this moment demands not exclusion, but expansion; not control, but coordination; not narrow interest, but a broad commitment to unity and shared purpose.
To those who did not emerge, I encourage you to remain committed. Political contests are part of democratic life, but the unity and progress of the party must always come first.
“We are engaged in the deliberate task of building a party that can stand the test of time. The foundational principles of this party are clear. They are transparency, accountability, and participation. These are not abstract ideals. They are principles that must guide our daily actions and the standards by which we will judge ourselves.
In the ADC, the constitution will be supreme. The party will be supreme. Every member, regardless of position, will be accountable to the rules and values that define us. No member of this party, no matter how highly placed, will be bigger than the party, and no member no matter how lowly placed, will be ignored. This is my personal commitment to you all.
“In ADC, we shall return politics to its true purpose; to improve the lives of the people. This is the central ideology of our party: to make life better for the people. The resources of Nigeria will be deployed in the service of the majority of Nigerians. We will invest in our people, and make them more productive and more competitive. We will protect people and provide the environment for them to thrive.
“Let me therefore reiterate. No one elected or appointed on the platform of the ADC will have the discretion to decide what to do with power. Ours is a solemn commitment. To fly the banner of the ADC is to fly the banner of commitment to service. We will hold every elected and appointed officials of our party accountable. This party will insist that you deliver on the promises that we have made to the people.
In his remark, National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesokola who chided the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for derecognizing the Mark led executive and not monitoring the party’s convention , noted that the party followed due process in it’s transition of leadership, adding that no member of the party’s former executive can challenge the party for any wrong doing.
He described the INEC as an illegal institution on mission to destroy the party and making it possible for the All Progressive Congress, APC not to have a challenger in the 2027 general election
