Former Senate President, David Mark, has raised concerns over what he described as growing threats to democracy in Nigeria, warning that fundamental freedoms are increasingly under pressure.
Mark made the remarks during a press conference on behalf of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he reflected on Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999. He noted that after 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, many Nigerians had believed the country had firmly moved past its era of military dictatorship.
However, he said developments in the past three years under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suggest otherwise, stressing that democracy can only thrive where citizens are guaranteed the freedom to choose, participate, and associate.
According to him, these core democratic principles have come under sustained attack, alleging a deliberate attempt to limit political choices ahead of the 2027 general elections. He further linked the nation’s rising poverty levels and worsening insecurity to what he termed governance failures, adding that the situation has heightened public dissatisfaction.
Speaking on the formation of the opposition coalition, Mark said it emerged from a collective effort by political actors seeking to defend democratic values and resist what he described as pressure on opposition parties. He explained that the coalition adopted the ADC platform after due diligence and compliance with relevant constitutional and legal provisions.
He disclosed that a National Executive Committee meeting of the party held on July 29, 2025, and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led to the dissolution of the National Working Committee and the appointment of a caretaker leadership.
Mark said he was subsequently appointed as National Chairman, with former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, named as National Secretary, alongside other party officials.
He added that the resolutions of the meeting were formally communicated to INEC, which later updated its records on September 9, 2025, to reflect the new leadership.
On the internal leadership dispute within the party, Mark said a former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, had resigned from his position on May 17, 2025, with the resignation duly transmitted to INEC on August 12, 2025.
Despite this, he said Bala approached the court on September 2, 2025, seeking recognition as the party’s chairman.
Mark maintained that INEC was already aware of both the resignation and the emergence of the new leadership before the legal action was initiated.
He further disclosed that while the matter is still before the court, the party’s legal team had challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court at the Court of Appeal.
According to him, the appellate court dismissed the appeal and directed all parties, including INEC, to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the case.
