State chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have strongly condemned what they described as an “orchestrated political coup” allegedly spearheaded by a coalition led by former Senate President, Senator David Mark.
In a strongly worded statement titled “Rejecting the Political Junta by Defending ADC and Nigeria’s Democracy Against Subversion,” and jointly signed by the forum leader Elias Adokwu and Publicity Secretary Godwin Alaku, the chairmen accused the coalition of attempting to hijack the party through unconstitutional means.
“This is a blatant and reckless subversion of the ADC and Nigeria’s democratic norms,” the chairmen declared, expressing alarm over what they called “manipulation and backdoor dealings” aimed at imposing leadership outside the party’s legitimate structures.
The chairmen described the alleged power play as a desperate and illegal move cloaked in the false pretence of political alignment, but which in reality, they argued, amounts to a “civilian junta.”
“We unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms this desperate power grab, which represents not only an aberration of democratic norms but also a grave assault on our collective political values as a nation,” the statement read.
They argued that the coalition’s actions are not about building a stronger party or uniting political ideologies, but about personal ambition and control at any cost.
The forum also accused the Mark-led coalition of “fracturing the democratic process through selfish ambition and extra-party inducements,” warning that such manoeuvres were an insult to both the founding principles of the ADC and the sacrifices of those who have worked to strengthen democratic governance in Nigeria.
Calling on party members and democratic institutions to resist the move, the chairmen urged vigilance and solidarity in defence of the party’s constitution and Nigeria’s democratic integrity.
