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By Myke Agunwa
The mega coalition organized by Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has gathered more momentum as former Senate President David Mark, resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday to lead join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The coalition had earlier indicated interest in registering a new party, All Democratic Alliance (ADA), after initial talks with ADC and Social Democratic Party (SDP) had broken down but when it seemed like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was going to frustrate a new registration effort, it re-strategised and resumed talks with ADC.
The former Vice President and Mark had in a meeting on Tuesday in Abuja, lobbied PDP stakeholders to join the coalition explaining that the once leading and cohesive PDP has become a shadow of itself.
In a resignation letter dated June 27, addressed to the PDP Chairman of his Otukpo Ward in Benue State, Mark expressed disappointment over the party’s current state, describing it as a shadow of its former self and vulnerable to public ridicule.
The letter stated, “I bring warm greetings to you and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otukpo Ward 1, and by extension, to the entire Benue State and Nigeria. I write to formally inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the party with immediate effect.”
Mark recalled his long-standing commitment to the PDP, noting that he remained loyal even when many stakeholders left following the party’s defeat in the 2015 presidential election.
“I pledged to remain the last man standing,” he wrote.
He acknowledged his previous efforts to rebuild and reposition the PDP, which helped restore some national relevance.
He noted that after consulting with his family members, friends, and political associates, he took the decision to join the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria. He described the move as part of a collective effort to rescue the nation and safeguard democratic gains.
Similarly, Ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola was appointed as interim Secretary of the coalition under ADC while former Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi was appointed as Spokesperson.
The ex-governor in a statement, said that he agreed to serve as the Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress because Nigeria’s political scene is dominated by parties lacking clear ideological direction.
In his acceptance speech, which was shared Tuesday night on the verified Facebook page of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Aregbesola stated that most existing political parties are mere hollow structures that merge and split not based on policy or principle, but on the pursuit of power and personal interests.
He stated, “The African National Congress (ANC of South Africa) is not perfect but it stands for something. It was forged in resistance, sharpened by vision, and led by men and women who believe in justice, dignity, equality, inclusivity of all interests and true freedom. It has character. It has soul. It is therefore a true platform for the expression of their aspirations.
“Sadly, in Nigeria today, we cannot say the same about many of our political parties.
Our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth. They are empty shells emerging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality. There is little regard for the people, and even less for the country.”
Meanwhile, just hours before the planned ADC meeting at the Wells Carlton Hotel, Asokoro in Abuja, the hotel informed organisers that it would no longer be able to host the ADC gathering, citing an unspecified “internal compliance matter.”
In a message addressed to the event organisers, the hotel wrote:
“We sincerely regret to inform you that due to an internal compliance matter that has just come to our attention, we are unable to proceed with hosting your scheduled event.”
The sudden cancellation has triggered outrage within opposition ranks, with prominent figures accusing the APC-led federal government of orchestrating the disruption to frustrate the opposition’s momentum.”