-
Says strong political movements not built in moments of ease
By Lateef Ibrahim/Jude Opara, Abuja
National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and former Senate President, Senator David Mark has declared that the party can neither be wished away nor be litigated into silence, stressing that strong political movements are not built in moments of ease and in comfort.
Mark made it succinctly clear that strong political movements are built in times when a broken nation cries out for change and the people look for those who would lead with commitment and honesty.
He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of the party’s national convention in Abuja where no fewer than 7,000 delegates were in attendance.
While obviously making reference to the various ordeals the party had gone through lately, including litigations and derecognition of its national officers as well as the removal of their names from the portal of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the former Senate President vowed that ADC will not surrender to intimidation.
What is at stake, according to him, is not just about the ADC, adding, ” it is the very survival of our democracy”.
According to him, “Recent developments involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have raised fundamental questions about the process that govern our democracy.
“Forces that feared what a united ADC represents came for us; through the courts, through institutions, through bureaucratic obstruction. They sought to stop this convention from happening. “They removed our names from official portals. They denied us preferred venues. They deployed every instrument available to them to ensure that you – the delegates, the members, the owners of this party – would never gather. But we are here”.
Continuing, Mark said, “At our recent press briefing, we made it clear that the integrity of democratic institutions must be protected at all times.
“We also made it clear that in an ever-shrinking democratic space that is orchestrated by those in the ruling party, the ADC will not bow, we will not cower, and we will not retreat.
“To surrender therefore is to yield to tyranny and therefore become complicit in the destruction of our democracy”, he said.
Mark, in his address at the convention said, “dear party members and leaders, let me remind all of us that strong political movements are not built in moments of ease and in comfort. “They are built in times like this, when a broken nation cries out for change and the people look for those who would lead with commitment and honesty.
“We will not surrender, because what is at stake is not just about the ADC or the opposition. It is the very survival of our democracy.
“To surrender therefore is to yield to tyranny and therefore become complicit in the destruction of our democracy.
“Let us here be the answer to every doubt, every threat, and every shenanigan designed to keep Nigeria trapped in a one-party future.
“The ADC cannot be wished away. The ADC cannot be litigated into silence. The ADC belongs to the Nigerian people – and the Nigerian people have spoken by showing up today.
“I say to those who orchestrated these obstacles: you have not weakened us. You have welded us together.
“Every attempt to suppress this party has only deepened the resolve of our members, widened our coalition, and reminded Nigerians why a strong opposition is not optional; it is essential to democracy’s survival.
“Across Nigeria, there is a growing awareness, by a generation that desires a different country, a country that nurtures their talents and support their ambitions.
“This generation is asking tough questions of leadership and those who seek to lead.
“We are greatly delighted to see that under the harsh light of this scrutiny, the African Democratic Congress is emerging as a credible alternative, not necessarily because of who we are, but because our vision and ambition align with their own.
“The reason we are here, the genuine re-commitment to putting the people first, is the very reason that they continue to believe, despite the daunting challenges that they face today, that Nigeria, this great country, will rediscover itself.
“We in the African Democratic Congress recognise this moment as a moment of great opportunity, as well as a moment of great responsibility. Our objective is not merely political success or a mere quest for power.
“We see it as a duty to ourselves and to posterity to demonstrate to all Nigerians that something good can come out of politics, and that democracy can actually deliver a better life that they seek. This is the fundamental goal of our party”, he said.
Continuing, the ADC National Chairman said, “Great moments of transformation do not announce themselves with a bang. They reveal themselves through the decisions that people make and the direction that political parties and the politicians choose to take.
“I therefore harbour no doubts, that if we remain disciplined, if we remain united, and if we remain committed to our principles, this party will play a defining role in shaping the future of this country.
“Future generations may look back at this period as the point when, regardless of what has happened in the past, we chose a different path, defined by the realisation that this great country has to rise and meet its destiny as the greatest black nation on”, he said.
