Monday, April 27, 2026 - David Mark, national chairman of the African Democratic Congress, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of undermining democratic institutions in the country.
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.
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