* Vow to Defend Party, Democracy*
The Concerned State Chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a scathing condemnation of what they describe as an “orchestrated political coup” by a coalition led by Senator David Mark, labelling it a “blatant and reckless subversion” of the party and Nigeria’s democratic norms.
In a press statement titled “Rejecting the Political Junta by Defending ADC and Nigeria’s Democracy Against Subversion,” the group, led by Hon. Amb. Elias Adokwu and Publicity Secretary Hon. Godwin Alaku accused the coalition of attempting an unconstitutional hijack of the ADC through manipulation and backdoor dealings.
“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 reads.
The chairmen argue that the move is not a realignment of political ideology but a “civilian junta” seeking control outside legal and democratic processes.
They reference a notorious 2011 election warning from one of the coalition’s ringleaders, stating, “if peaceful change is not possible, violent change is inevitable,” as evidence of a dangerous mindset now resurfacing.
“It is only by the grace of God that our democracy survived then, and we must not allow such reckless adventurism to thrive now,” the statement warns.
The ADC State Chairmen view the attempted takeover as an “insult to all those who believe in and have labored for democratic governance in Nigeria.”
They assert that the coalition’s objective is to fracture the democratic process using “selfish ambition and extra-party inducements.”
The statement emphasises the ADC’s commitment to “democratic principles, the rule of law, ideological clarity, and peaceful political engagement,” rejecting any notion that the party is a platform for “political mercenaries or ideological impostors.”
The chairmen advise the coalition to “create their own party or look elsewhere,” declaring, “The ADC is not for sale, not for hijack, and certainly not a dumping ground for discredited power brokers.”
The statement challenges the coalition to disclose their contributions to Nigeria’s democracy, questioning their “electoral value or ideological clarity.”
The Concerned State Chairmen call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist recognising any illegal change of leadership, urge the Nigerian public and civil society to monitor and resist this “creeping authoritarianism,” and demand that law enforcement investigate unlawful attempts to disrupt political order.
“We, the legitimate custodians of the ADC structure across all states of the federation, reject this illegitimate junta,” the statement concludes.
“We consider it our patriotic duty to defend the soul of the ADC and protect the sanctity of democratic structures in Nigeria.”
The press release also addresses baseless allegations by former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, dismissing them as a “desperate attempt to salvage his own political reputation.”
