By George Mgbeleke

Despite all attempts by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Barrister Nyesom Wike and other Agencies of the Federal government to truncate the scheduled Convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday went ahead to hold the exercise at Rainbow Event center Abuja.

This is even as the party unanimously affirmed,former President of the Senate,Senator David Mark as its National Chairman while expelling Nafiu Bala Gombe as factional chairman.

Addressing participants at the convention, the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark having recalled the ordeals of the party and it’s National Executive Committee from inception by the ruling party and it’s Agencies,vowed that the party is duty bound to rescue Nigeria from creeping dictatorship and exploitative governance.
According to him, ADC will not bow, we will not cower and we will not retreat.

He said,”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.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.

“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. ”

Continuibg he said,”And 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.

” We view this as a generational challenge. And this is why we say to all opposition leaders in the country, regardless of your political party, come, let us work together to save our country. The challenges that we are confronted with goes beyond partisanship, it is a patriotic duty to rescue our country from creeping dictatorship and exploitative governance.

“Dear party men and women, let me congratulate us all for the successful conduct of our congresses. Despite the obstacles put on our way, we have stayed focused on the bigger picture, and together, we scaled through those difficulties to deliver a successful and credible congress across the country. This shows that we are successfully planting our roots in villages and communities across the length and breadth of our country; that we are providing platforms for millions of our people to participate in the process of governing their own country. This is the very essence of democracy.

” To those who have emerged as leaders at the local and state levels, I extend my congratulations. Your emergence carries responsibility. Leadership within this party must always be defined by service and accountability. You must also recognise that we are a coalition, a coming together of diverse voices, experiences, and aspirations. Therefore, you must lead with a deep sense of responsibility, openness, and inclusion. Your doors must remain open to all members of this coalition, and to others who are inspired to join us on this journey. Leadership in this moment demands not exclusion, but expansion; not control, but coordination; not narrow interest, but a broad commitment to unity and shared purpose.

“To those who did not emerge, I encourage you to remain committed. Political contests are part of democratic life, but the unity and progress of the party must always come first.

“We are engaged in the deliberate task of building a party that can stand the test of time. The foundational principles of this party are clear. They are transparency, accountability, and participation. These are not abstract ideals. They are principles that must guide our daily actions and the standards by which we will judge ourselves.

” In the ADC, the constitution will be supreme. The party will be supreme. Every member, regardless of position, will be accountable to the rules and values that define us. No member of this party, no matter how highly placed, will be bigger than the party, and no member no matter how lowly placed, will be ignored. This is my personal commitment to you all.

” In ADC, we shall return politics to its true purpose; to improve the lives of the people. This is the central ideology of our party: to make life better for the people. The resources of Nigeria will be deployed in the service of the majority of Nigerians. We will invest in our people, and make them more productive and more competitive. We will protect people and provide the environment for them to thrive.

” Let me therefore reiterate. No one elected or appointed on the platform of the ADC will have the discretion to decide what to do with power. Ours is a solemn commitment. To fly the banner of the ADC is to fly the banner of commitment to service. We will hold every elected and appointed officials of our party accountable. This party will insist that you deliver on the promises that we have made to the people. ”

Again former Vice president of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,appealed to Nigerians, and particularly members of the ADC, to make sure that “this time around, we really need to change the situation in the country.”

According to Atiku I remember when the APC was being formed, the entire political leadership in this country came to my house.
They said, “If you don’t come into the APC, this is not going to be possible.” They literally compelled me to join the APC. Only for us to enter the APC, our economy is gone, our sovereignty is gone, our security is gone, our education is gone, our infrastructure is gone. The healthcare is gone.

“Now, people like me, we must rise and make sure that there is change, genuine change, a serious change to rectify all these challenges that are happening in the country. I am in this game. We are going to win. Because of you, the young men and women, our children and our grandchildren, this country has been good to us.
And we don’t believe that this country is being good to the current generation, to the youth, to the women, and to the future of this country. That is why we are here today.

“You will see real change. Believe me, you cannot get away with corruption in the government of ADC. You cannot. You cannot get away with compromising with criminals and terrorists to make life impossible in this country. No. That is not what we intend to do. Absolutely not.

“Therefore, it is a struggle for all Nigerians. But I will not end these remarks without indicting the chairman of INEC and INEC itself, because it is clear, it is obvious, the evidence is there. Now, INEC is being used to undermine democracy in this country. Let the federal government know that we fought the military to bring democracy in this country, and we are going to fight them to bring democracy in this country.

“Let the chairman know we are not going to let him get away with his illegalities. We will not. And I hope we will have your support and cooperation to make sure we return to true democracy, to true development in all aspects of human endeavor.”

Also former governor of Sokoto state,Senator Waziri Tambuwal warned Judges not allow themselves to be used to destroy Nigeria by those in government today.

“Let no judge or justice allow himself to be used to destroy Nigeria. History is taking note of our roles as individuals. Our children and grandchildren are watching and looking up to us to serve this country.

“Those of you who are in privileged positions should be accountable and bear in mind that wherever you are writing your judgments or rulings, even if there is no individual by your side, God Almighty is watching over you.

“God Almighty will be the ultimate judge on the Day of Judgment. So be wary of those individuals who will be talking to you to influence you to undermine our judicial system, undermine our country, and undermine democracy.
The next set of people I will appeal to are those sitting here. When we started, it was not possible. They could not come together.”

The convention had adopted Senator David Mark as its National Chairman along with it National Executive Committee and expelled factional national chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe.

It also expelled a House of Representatives member, Leke Abejide, and others from the party due to anti-party activities

A motion for their expulsion was moved and passed by an overwhelming majority of delegates at the National Convention in Abuja.

Recall that Gombe has been in court claiming to be the authentic National Chairman of the party.

His actions led to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, derecognizing the Senator David Mark-led ADC.