The African Democratic Congress, ADC, leadership transition has seen former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, and former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, officially take over the helm of affairs.
This development comes after National Chairman Ralph Nwosu stepped down to make way for the political heavyweights.
The ADC leadership transition took place during a high-profile meeting at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, attended by prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai; and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Also present are former Senator Dino Melaye; a former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung; publisher and PDP chieftain, Dele Momodu; Senator Ireti Kingibe of the Labour Party; and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha.
During the event, Nwosu also presented membership cards to Mark and Aregbesola, who have been appointed as the interim National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
Nwosu, in his address, said the leadership transition was necessary to give Nigerians a viable option ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to him, Nigeria is in the Intensive Care Unit ICU and needs to be revived.
He said: “We must agree to move Nigeria from ICU to global reckoning. For about 18 months, we have been on this journey of coalition, and we have had over 12 meetings of the National Executive Committee NEC. So, it is not about power that we are here today, it is about transforming our country”.
Mark, in his speech, accused President Bola Tinubu of embarking on total state capture while Nigerians wallow in misery.
He said Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has turned into Renewed Hopelessness, adding that the president is fiddling while the country burns.
He asserted: “Let it be known to all that this coalition goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to build the pillars of Nigeria’s democracy. Today marks the beginning of what we believe will be a long, tedious, and difficult journey. However, this is a journey that we are prepared to undertake.
“It is on record that within two years of the current administration coming into power, it has hijacked all democratic structures.
“This coalition is to prevent Nigeria’s descent into a one-party state.”
