The African Democratic Congress on Tuesday inaugurated former Senate President, David Mark, and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s Interim National Chairman and Secretary, respectively.
The swearing-in took place in Abuja during the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting.
Following his inauguration, Senator Mark affirmed his commitment to strengthening internal democracy, promoting transparency, and enhancing the inclusion of women and youth in the party’s leadership structure.
He pledged that 35 per cent of leadership positions would be reserved for women and that individuals under the age of 40 would be actively integrated into the party’s leadership.
The former military administrator of Niger State also revealed plans to establish a 50-member Policy Committee tasked with reviewing the ADC’s manifesto and initiating reforms in critical sectors.
“I assure you that under my leadership, we shall be committed to full democratic practices and principles that abhor imposition and special privileges. Internal democracy, transparency, and accountability will be our mantra,” he said.
Ralph Nwosu, the outgoing chairman, commended the ADC’s stance against political pressures and monetary inducements that he claimed aimed to coerce the party into becoming part of a one-party system.
“ADC said no to dictatorship. We stood our ground for democracy,” he stated.
During the NEC meeting, a motion was passed to reinstate expelled members of the party—excluding 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu—and to dissolve the previous National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Trustees (BoT). The decision enables the new leadership to operate fully until fresh congresses are conducted.
