The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has said that the party will focus on merit and accountability ahead of the 2027 elections. He recently revealed that the ADC will place integrity at the centre of its agenda as it fights to dethrone the ruling party in the forthcoming polls.
Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the ADC National Working Committee (NWC), Mark outlined a reform plan aimed at repositioning the party ahead of the next general elections.
According to him, the coalition will concentrate on 4 key principles – Character, Competence, Courage, and Discipline – and every principle would directly influence its governance standards and internal decisions.
He stated that the party will work with principles rather than personalities, stressing that the ultimate strategy to wrestle power from the APC would be teamwork.
“We begin with a conviction that Nigeria can, and will, work for everyone, and with a commitment to build a party bigger than any personality, stronger than any moment, and positively different from any party in the annals of our country.
Our leadership standard is non-negotiable: Character, Competence, Courage, and Discipline. These four pillars will guide our choices, shape our culture, and anchor our performance,” he said.
Mark further announced the launch of an Integrity and Performance Compact, which he believes would aid open operations, merit-based leadership, credible elections, and citizens-focused service delivery.
He concluded by saying that despite the ongoing pressure to undermine the legislature and judiciary, the ADC would do everything to defend their independence and ensure public budgets serve the interests of Nigerians.
“Other parties revolve around individuals; the ADC will revolve around rules, policies, programmes, people, and results. The supremacy we seek is the supremacy of our constitution and institutions over personality, improvisation, and idiosyncrasy.
As a former President of the Senate, I am alarmed by attempts, subtle and crude, to bend the legislature and judiciary to the will of the executive. The ADC will restore legislative and judicial independence and promote oversight that ensures budgets serve the public interest, not private appetites.
Nigerians are tired of slogans and statistics that do not translate into welfare; food, power, jobs, and safety. We will focus on what works and shine a bright light on every naira — no parallel budgets, no black-box spending, no sacred cows,” he added.
