National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, on Thursday called for the immediate resignation or sack of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all National Commissioners, accusing the electoral body of undermining Nigeria’s democracy and acting in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at a world press conference held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, Mark described INEC’s recent decision to withdraw recognition of the ADC leadership as “a direct assault on democracy” and warned that the opposition would resist any attempt to weaken multi-party democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This attack on democracy will not stand,” Mark declared, adding that, “INEC has acted in contempt of the Court of Appeal and has therefore acted unlawfully.”
Mark alleged that recent political developments indicated a deliberate plan to weaken opposition parties and create conditions that would favour President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
“Our experience in the past three years or so since President Bola Tinubu came to power has however confirmed otherwise. Democracy is only sustained by the quality of freedom that it offers and guarantees, especially the freedom to choose, the freedom to participate, and the freedom to associate,” he said.
“Yet, in the past three years, we have witnessed a relentless assault on these very freedoms. The agenda is very clear, to create a situation where, in 2027, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the only option left for the people, despite the widespread suffering and wanton killings going on across the country.”
According to him, worsening insecurity and deepening poverty in Nigeria were signs of governance failure, adding that the administration was aware Nigerians could vote them out.
“They know that Nigerians will not want this to continue. They know Nigerians will vote them out. This is why they would do anything to hang on to power by hook or crook,” Mark stated.
The former Senate President explained that the opposition coalition that converged under the ADC was formed to defend democratic values and resist what he described as growing authoritarian tendencies.
“The coalition of opposition parties came about as a result of a collective search for democratic freedom and the desire to resist what was clearly a relentless assault on opposition political parties,” he said.
“The coalition leaders decided to come together under ADC to save multi-party democracy in Nigeria and rescue Nigeria from what was clearly an emerging dictatorship.”
Mark noted that the July 29, 2025 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting that produced the current leadership of the party was duly monitored by INEC, stressing that the process followed all constitutional and legal requirements.
“In furtherance of this process, a NEC meeting was convened on July 29th, 2025, monitored by INEC officials… with my humble self, David Mark, as the National Chairman; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the National Secretary; as well as others who have since been serving as officers of the party,” he explained.
Mark expressed surprise at INEC’s April 1 decision to withdraw recognition of the party leadership, describing the move as politically motivated.
“It was therefore to our surprise, yesterday, 1st of April, that INEC issued a press statement after the close of business hours, announcing that it had decided to withdraw recognition for both the ADC leadership, which I head, and the fictitious one purportedly led by Nafiu Bala, thereby creating a false equivalence between the parties.”
He further accused the electoral body of abandoning neutrality.
“There is only one conclusion that Nigerians can draw from the April 1st action taken by INEC: THE ELECTORAL UMPIRE HAS TAKEN SIDES. IT CAN NO LONGER BE TRUSTED.”
Mark added that INEC’s action effectively left the party without leadership, contrary to the Court of Appeal directive.
“With its press release yesterday, INEC has invented a status quo that never existed… What INEC has done is to create a situation that, by its own curious logic, leaves the ADC without leadership.”
Mark also addressed President Tinubu directly, questioning why the administration would allegedly suppress opposition despite controlling major political structures.
“Right now, I speak directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: with 90% of the National Assembly and over 30 of Nigeria’s 36 Governors in the APC, President Tinubu, what are you afraid of?”
“If you are convinced that you have done well for the people who voted for you, why are you afraid of a free, fair, and transparent electoral contest?”
Despite the controversy, Mark said the ADC would proceed with its planned party congresses and national convention scheduled for April.
“We are proceeding with our party programmes, because there is nothing under the law that makes INEC’s attendance, a mandatory requirement. We have duly served INEC notice, and we will proceed accordingly.”
He warned that INEC would be held responsible for any fallout from its decision.
“This INEC under Professor Joash Amupitan will be held directly responsible for whatever actions or reactions that follow this criminal path that it has chosen to take.”
Mark urged Nigerians and the international community to take note of what he described as threats to democracy.
“We call on Nigerians to defend our democracy. This is a defining moment. Stand firm. Speak out. Participate. Resist any attempt to impose a one-party state on Nigeria.”
He concluded with a message of optimism.
“It is often said, that the arc of history does not bend towards tyranny. It bends towards freedom. And no matter how long the night may seem, the morning will come. Nigeria will not be silenced. Nigeria will not be conquered. Nigeria is rising, ADC is rising.”