PROTOCOLS:
1.Distinguished leaders and stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress, members of the National Working Committee, members of the National Executive Committee, coalition leaders, elected officials, youth groups, civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, INEC officials, the media, our esteemed aspirants, party faithful gathered here at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Nigerians joining us from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and Nigerians in diaspora—good evening, and welcome to this historic official collation and declaration event of the ADC Presidential Primaries.
2.Today is not just about announcing a presidential candidate.
3.Today is also about proving a point to Nigeria and to Nigerians.
4.It is about proving that democracy can still work. Proving that political competition does not have to become political warfare. That a party can organize itself around principles instead of personalities. And that in a season of deep national anxiety, a bright future is still possible.
5.That is why this gathering matters. And that is why history will remember what we have done here today.
6.Let me begin by thanking every member of the African Democratic Congress for your steadfastness, your patience, your sacrifices, your understanding, and your faith in this party, especially in the face of daunting challenges. Many people doubted us. Some dismissed us. Others predicted confusion, division, and even outright collapse.
7.But you stood firm. You kept faith with the ADC.
8.And today, because of your commitment, our party stands taller, stronger, and more united.
9.Let me also recognize and appreciate the members of the Presidential Screening Committee and the Presidential Primary Election Committee for their patriotism, diligence, and professionalism throughout this process. In the face of enormous pressure, logistical complexity, and intense national attention, they carried out their responsibilities with courage, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to fairness and transparency. Their work has strengthened the credibility of this exercise and reinforced the confidence of our members and the Nigerian people in the integrity of the African Democratic Congress. On behalf of the leadership and the entire membership of our party, I thank them for their sacrifice and service to our party and to democracy.
10.Now, I also want to specially commend our three distinguished aspirants: former Vice-President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON, former Governor of Rivers State and immediate past Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON, and the former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group and former Chairman of NNDC, Mr. Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, OON. It is important to mention, that we are the only political party to have 3 strong aspirants contest for the presidential ticket. This alone makes the ADC unique in its deep commitment to democracy, and democratic practices.
11.This also demonstrates the loyalty of these three gentlemen to our party, their courage to compete for the great opportunity to serve, and their abiding faith in democracy.
12.By subjecting themselves to this process, they did not merely contest an election. They strengthened democracy. And despite efforts in some quarters to create uncertainty and tension, they remained committed to this process and to the ideals of this party. And for that, the ADC owes them a debt of gratitude.
13.My brothers and sisters, a few days before these primaries began, I invited the three presidential aspirants to a private dinner. Just four Nigerians seated around a table, speaking honestly and frankly about the future of our country and the future of this party.
14.I remember looking at each of them and saying something very simple: “Whatever happens in this primary, let us remember why we are doing this. Majority of Nigerians are looking up to us to liberate them from the current regime of suffering. We must not let them down.”
15.I told them that the ADC has a rare opportunity to demonstrate to Nigerians a different political culture—a culture where competition would not destroy unity, where ambition would not bury principle, and where the process would matter as much as the outcome. To their credit, all three men agreed with me. I believe that understanding is what has brought us to this moment.
16.When I accepted the responsibility of leading this party as Chairman, I made a promise before God and before Nigerians—that I would be fair to all; that I would ensure a level playing field; that every member, regardless of status or influence, would have equal opportunity and equal respect. This exercise is the culmination of that commitment.
17.In the last several weeks, I have come under intense pressure from different quarters. Pressure to choose. Pressure to endorse. Pressure to tilt the scale one way or another.
18.But I insisted that the African Democratic Congress is not that kind of political party. We are not a party where one individual—or a few powerful interests—sit in a room and decide the presidential candidate before members get the opportunity to vote.
19.We are a party committed to the highest principles of democratic practice. And with this primary election, we have demonstrated exactly that.
20.We did not work towards a predetermined outcome. We allowed a free contest. We allowed our members across Nigeria to make their choice.
21.Ladies and gentlemen, I must admit that this process has not been easy. When the Electoral Act imposed the option of direct primaries, we understood immediately the enormous logistical and administrative burden involved. Coordinating an exercise across 36 states and the FCT was not going to be a simple undertaking.
22.There were difficulties and challenges; especially given that we were attempting an assignment of this magnitude for the first time.
23.But despite the challenges, I am proud to say that overall, we have conducted a process that was free, fair, credible, and worthy of democratic standards.
24.I do not claim that what we have done is perfect. I admit that there is room for improvement. However, I do not think that the observable shortcomings are sufficient to invalidate the exercise or to discredit the entire process. I can only hope that we have learnt valuable lessons from this experience. Let me add that I take full responsibility.
25.Ladies and gentlemen, what is not in doubt is the commitment of the African Democratic Congress and my personal commitment to continue to build a political party that will stand as a shining example of internal democracy, administrative efficiency, and political accountability.
26.It is for these reasons that I will want to implore all our great aspirants to rise above the moment; to rise above the euphoria of triumph and the despair of defeat and embrace that which is greater than all of us: the commitment to build a strong political party that is committed to serving the Nigerian people.
27.This is our opportunity to demonstrate why we are different, and why we are ADC. We are a party whose aspirations run deep. We want to become the example of what a truly democratic political party should look like in Nigeria and in Africa.
28.People often ask us: “How is the ADC different?”
29.We are the only major political party in Nigeria whose constitution guarantees the independence of its bureaucracy and protects it from interference and capture by narrow interests.
30.We are one of the few parties deliberately structured to accommodate diverse voices—trade unions, professional associations, youth groups, women, persons living with disabilities, and patriotic Nigerians from all walks of life. That is not an accident. It is a reflection of who we are.
31.We are social democrats. Our ideology is anchored on the simple but powerful belief that government must put citizens first; that leadership must serve the people; and that democracy must improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
32.We are of the firm belief that at a time when millions of our citizens are burdened by economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, inflation, social division, and growing hopelessness, politics cannot continue to be business as usual.
33.Our country faces an existential challenge. Families are struggling to survive. Young people are losing faith in leadership. Communities are living in fear. And many Nigerians feel abandoned by those entrusted with power. That is why what we are doing here tonight matters more than the sum of individual ambitions or personal interests.
34.This primary is not simply about selecting a candidate. It is about beginning a national rescue mission. And so, I want to appeal directly to our three aspirants.
35.Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON
36.Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, CON
37.Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, OON
38.Each one of you is eminently qualified. Each of you has served this country with distinction in important capacities. All of you possess the experience and capacity to offer leadership to Nigeria. However, it can only be one of you who would fly the flag of our party and tonight, the members of the African Democratic Congress have spoken. I congratulate you, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. This party has placed its trust in you and you must realise that you now have a duty to build bridges and carry every member along.
39.Today, all of us have won, but we must remember that the larger mission remains greater than individual ambition. We must work together to win, not only for us, but for the Nigerian people.
40.My dear compatriots, the journey ahead will not be easy. But I am confident that with the Nigerian people on our side, we will win.
41.But Nigerians are also watching to see whether we as opposition leaders can still rise above ego, division, and personal interest. They are watching to see whether we can put them first.
42.Let tonight send a message across our nation – that the ADC stands for fairness, inclusion, courage, and democratic integrity. Let tonight mark the beginning of something greater than mere politics. Let it mark the rebirth of political trust in Nigeria.
43.I urge every member, every supporter, and every aspirant to embrace the spirit of unity, sportsmanship and patriotism.
44.Let us leave this hall not as divided camps, but as one family with one purpose: to build a better Nigeria.
45.May God bless the African Democratic Congress.
46.May God bless all our aspirants and candidates.
47.And may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
48.Thank you very much.
END….
SEN. DAVID MARK,
CHAIRMAN, AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS,
26 MAY 2026.
