We Can Never Be Intimidated Or Succumb To Tyranny – David Mark

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The National Chairman of the opposition Coalition platform, African Democratic Congress, ADC, Senator David Mark, a retired Army Brigadier-General,  has vowed that the party, under his watch, will not succumb to orchestrated blackmail, tyranny and political pressure, allegedly, from the ruling All Progressive Congress APC.

This is as he enjoined party stalwarts, supporters and sympathizers to remain steadfast and committed to the task of liberating the country from the clutches of oppressive rule and gross misgovernance.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ADC’s 8th  National Convention in Abuja on Tuesday April 14, 2026, Mark averred that the party will not sit by, idly, and watch Nigeria slide into the abyss of dictatorship, through what he described as ” systemic erosion of  democracy, and weakening of democratic institutions ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Democracy will not die on our watch. We will not be intimidated by manipulation or political manoeuvrings, targeted at our party ,and indeed Nigerians”, Mark stated.

While appreciating party leaders, supporters, and indeed well-meaning Nigerians for their  show of resilience, doggedness and commitment, even in the face  of what he described as sustained harassment, intimidation from the Government of the day, leading to some political set- backs, Mark called for patience and more sacrifices to ensure victory in the end.

Referencing the obstacles placed on the way of the party, allegedly, by the establishment, including denying it the use of the Eagle Square ,the National Stadium Velodrome ,as well as moves made even to stop private entities from hosting the Convention, the ADC National Chairman urged members to remain focused, resolute and united in the task of building a new Nigeria.

The ADC National Chairman warned that  party leaders and supporters can ill-afford to be complacent at this point when all hands must be on deck to retrieve the country from the principice.

The Source reports that the ADC National Convention was preceded by a leadership crisis precipitated by the sudden decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to withdraw recognition for the Mark-led NEC ,on the strength of a Court of Appeal judgment directing parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of a motion on notice filed by a rival faction of the party led by Bala Nafiu Gombe at an Abuja Federal High Court.