ADC Chairman David Mark accuses APC of weakening opposition

David Mark, national chairman of the African Democratic Congress, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of undermining democratic institutions in the country.

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Speaking at the National Opposition Summit in Ibadan, Mark alleged that the current administration is working to weaken opposition parties and restrict Nigerians’ ability to freely elect their leaders.

“In the last three years, this government has launched major attacks on the opposition parties, all in a bid to deny the people the right to choose. They want to foist a one-party state on Nigeria,” he said.

He further claimed that institutions meant to safeguard democracy are being compromised. “Institutions that should safeguard our freedom and protect the will of the people are increasingly under assault. The right of citizens to freely choose their leaders is being undermined,” Mark added.

The former Senate President argued that pressure on opposition parties is part of a broader strategy to retain power, warning that no single party can effectively challenge what he described as an entrenched system.

“What we are faced with is a regime that has shown, in both words and in deeds, a willingness to weaken democratic structures and suppress opposition voices,” he said.

Mark called on opposition groups to prioritise unity and coalition-building. “We did not allow personal ambition to override the desire of Nigerians for a better life… Instead, we chose unity over division, sacrifice over self, and country above all,” he said.

On the electoral process, he expressed concerns about the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission, stating that public confidence in the body has declined.

“The credibility of our democracy rests on the neutrality and integrity of its electoral institutions. When the referee clearly and proudly wears the jersey of one of the teams… then the legitimacy of the entire process is undermined,” he said.

Mark warned that failure to address these concerns could affect the credibility of future elections and urged stakeholders to act swiftly to preserve Nigeria’s democratic system.