The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to justify what he described as growing fears of political domination, despite the ruling party’s overwhelming control across the country.
Speaking at a press briefing, the former Senate President questioned why the president would feel threatened when the All Progressives Congress (APC) already controls the majority of political structures, including over 30 state governors and a dominant presence in the National Assembly.
Mark made the remarks while addressing concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recent decision to delist certain ADC leaders from its official portal, a move the opposition coalition views as an attempt to weaken dissenting voices.
He warned that Nigeria’s democracy is under pressure, alleging that recent developments point to a deliberate effort to edge the country toward a one-party system ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, the strength of democracy lies in citizens’ freedom to choose, associate, and participate in governance—freedoms he claims are being steadily eroded.
Mark expressed disappointment over what he described as a pattern of actions in the past few years that undermine democratic values, insisting that Nigerians must remain vigilant and actively defend the nation’s political space.
He also criticised the INEC decision, arguing that it created confusion by appearing to recognise conflicting leadership claims within the ADC, despite prior knowledge of internal party developments.
Directly addressing the president, Mark questioned the need to suppress opposition voices if the administration is confident in its performance, urging for a level playing field in future elections.
He concluded by calling on Nigerians to stand firm in protecting democratic principles and resist any attempt to limit political competition in the country.
