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By Oscar Okhifo
Former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring its performance a failure.
Mark also warned that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) risks presiding over the most distrusted election in Nigeria’s history.
He made the remarks at the National Opposition Summit held in Ibadan on Saturday, where he delivered a damning assessment of the APC-led administration.
Mark said the APC government’s record reflects failure, marked by what he described as over dependence on propaganda and a sustained assault on opposition voices.
“The record of the APC government is one of failure. What remains in its wake is an aggressive reliance on propaganda and a sustained assault on opposition voices. However, we will not engage in a contest of propaganda. We will not substitute truth with noise,” he said.
He further argued that the administration’s communication style points to deeper governance deficiencies, accusing it of evading responsibility and lacking integrity.
“Their reliance on propaganda only exposes a deeper problem, an inability to accept responsibility and a lack of integrity. Nigerians are watching, and they have seen through the smokescreen and the lies.
” They recognise a government that has failed to meet their expectations and shown no empathy for their suffering,” he added.
Describing the situation as a struggle beyond partisan politics, Mark said Nigerians have effectively become the opposition to the ruling party.
“This is no longer a conventional political contest. It is between the APC and the Nigerian people. Those who are grieving, struggling to survive, unemployed, and neglected after years of service. We stand with the people,” he said.
He also pointed to recent cabinet reshuffles as an implicit admission of policy failure, insisting that effective systems do not require such late-stage changes.
“Recent changes within the economic management team are themselves a tacit admission of failure. When a system is functioning effectively, you do not replace leadership. Reshuffling the cabinet at this late hour cannot save them from the verdict of the people,” he stated.
On the electoral process, Mark expressed concern over the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that public trust in the institution is declining.
“The credibility of our democracy rests on the neutrality and integrity of its electoral institutions. When the referee openly aligns with one side, the legitimacy of the process is compromised. Nigerians have lost confidence in INEC. It is no longer an impartial umpire,” he said.
He cautioned that without urgent reforms, the electoral body could preside over what he described as the most distrusted election in the country’s history under the leadership of Joash Ojo Amupitan.
Calling for unity among opposition leaders, Mark urged them to prioritise national interest over personal ambition at what he described as a critical moment in Nigeria’s history.
“At this defining moment, we must rise above personal ambition and choose unity, sacrifice, and country above all else,” he said.
He described the Ibadan summit as a potential turning point capable of igniting a movement to restore democratic values and rebuild national institutions.
“Let this gathering mark the beginning of a decisive movement to restore the dignity of our democracy and rebuild the foundations of our nation,” he added.
He also accused the government of deliberately undermining opposition parties, describing such actions as undemocratic.
“They call it strategy; I call it tyranny. You cannot weaken the opposition and still claim to be a democrat,” he said.
He warned that attempts to destabilise opposition parties would persist, urging stakeholders to remain vigilant and committed to unity.
“The forces working to divide us will not stop. We must remain united, transparent, and build trust if we are to succeed,” he said.
He stressed the urgency of building a cohesive opposition front, noting that time is limited and mistakes must be avoided.
“We are racing against time. This is the moment to rise above division and rewrite the story of coalition building in Nigeria,” Mark said.