Inspite of the internal squabbles rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Senator David Mark led executive of the party on Tuesday held its national convention in Abuja.
While the ADC held its convention, the Supreme Court yesterday scheduled an accelerated hearing for April 22, to hear David Mark’s appeal against a suit from Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former deputy national chairman of the party, challenging the party’s leadership.
Meanwhile, the non-elective convention which became the first major assembly since a coalition of opposition politicians formed an alliance under the ADC, ratified the David Mark led National Working Committee and in addition, expelled Nafiu Bala Gombe, House of Representatives Member, Leke Abejide and three other party members.
The convention themed ”So the Nation May Work,” brought in attendance about 3,000 delegates drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, with a cross-section of dignitaries and party stalwarts, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun; former governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi; former governor of Kano state and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; and former governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal, just to mention a few.
Declaring the convention open, the national chairman, Senator David Mark, noted that he will not allow the ADC under his watch to be gaged or yield to any atom of political pressure.
”We cannot be intimidated,” he declared, vowing that the ADC would not bow to what he described as ”tyranny and political pressure.”
”Democracy will not die on our watch. We will not be intimidated by manipulation or political manoeuvring targeted at our party and indeed Nigerians,’’ the national chairman declared.
It is pertinent to state that this move by the David Mark- led executive remains a strong show of confidence and determination to be on the ballot come 2027, despite the several litigations and internal wrangling rocking the party.
