National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has declared that the party’s mission transcends the quest for power in the 2027 general elections.
Mark made the statement during the inaugural meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) held on Tuesday in Abuja.
He explained that the ADC’s ultimate goal was to build a lasting political legacy that future generations would be proud to inherit, stressing that the party was not seeking power for its own sake but to advance national development.
“We are in a marathon; we must compete and win. Failure is not an option,” Mark said.
The former Senate President assured that the ADC would grow into an institution “bigger than any personality, stronger than any moment,” and would stand out as a truly people-centred political movement in Nigeria’s history.
He described the party’s leadership as pan-African, people-oriented, problem-solving and sensitive to the needs of all citizens, including persons with disabilities, retirees and the vulnerable.
“The conveners of this mission are respected leaders from every corner of our nation who have freely chosen service over comfort. We have set aside narrow interests for the common good. The road will be uphill; sacrifice will be demanded. Those threatened by democracy will resist it. Still, we advance—calmly, courageously, together as a formidable team,” he stated.
Mark outlined the four key pillars guiding the ADC’s leadership standards — character, competence, courage and discipline — noting that these principles would determine the party’s decisions and internal culture.
He unveiled a new political blueprint anchored on citizens first, the supremacy of rules over personality, open governance with independent annual audits and merit before loyalty.
According to him, the party’s inclusiveness agenda would prioritise workers, women, youth, farmers, professionals, retired security officers, educators, civil society, retirees and other vulnerable groups.
Mark said the urgent tasks before the NWC included reviewing the party’s constitution to reflect the new order, developing a code of ethics and establishing clear financing and compliance systems.
“We must establish functional ward, local government, and state structures with trained organisers, digital registers, and service desks. We will build a leadership pipeline through a merit-based academy — policy, ethics, communications, and delivery,” he said.
He added that the NWC would field only credible and viable candidates who meet the party’s four-pillar standard.
Senator Mark also pledged that, if elected into power, the ADC would pursue price stability and productivity through credible fiscal and monetary coordination, ensure reliable power supply by expanding generation and fixing transmission bottlenecks and strengthen food security by supporting farmers and agricultural value chains from inputs to processing and markets.
(NAN)