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The former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has delivered a strong attack on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging it is underperforming, spreading propaganda, and silencing dissenting opinions.

Mark addressed the National Opposition Summit in Ibadan on Saturday, presenting a bleak outlook on governance during the APC’s rule.

“The legacy of the APC government is one of defeat. What is left behind is a strong dependence on propaganda and a continuous attack on opposing views. Nevertheless, we will not take part in a battle of propaganda. We will not replace truth with noise,” he stated.

He also condemned what he called the administration’s approach to communication, stating that it highlights more significant systemic problems. He continued, “their use of propaganda only reveals a deeper issue — an unwillingness to take responsibility and a shortage of honesty. Nigerians are observing, and they have recognized the deception and falsehoods. They see a government that has not fulfilled their hopes and has shown no compassion for their hardships.”

Portraying the political environment as a larger conflict, Mark stated that the situation goes beyond party politics, saying, “This is why, as we have consistently emphasized, the battle we face is no longer a typical political rivalry. This conflict is between the ruling party, APC, and the Nigerian people. APC is facing off against the mother who has recently lost her child, the father who works hard but cannot provide for his family, the young graduate who sees no prospects, and the retiree who has been neglected after years of service. We stand with the people. Hence, the Almighty God is with us.”

The head of the ADC also referenced recent changes in the cabinet as proof of ineffective policies.

He stated, “Recent adjustments within the economic management team are, in effect, an acknowledgment of defeat. If a system is working well, you don’t change the leadership. Reorganizing the cabinet at this point in time won’t help them avoid the people’s judgment.”

Regarding elections, Mark expressed worries about the reliability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), cautioning that public confidence is declining.

He stated: “Let me take this chance to stress again that the trust in our democracy depends on the neutrality and honesty of its electoral institutions. If the referee openly and proudly wears the jersey of one of the teams he is supposed to referee, the whole process’s legitimacy is damaged. In this case, Nigerians have lost faith in the electoral commission, INEC. INEC is no longer a fair official. And if there’s no change, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan is set to oversee the most questionable election in Nigerian history. The outcomes are best left to imagine.”

He called on opposition leaders to come together and prioritize the nation’s interests over their own ambitions.

He stated: “Leaders of our political parties, let it be clearly expressed that during a critical point in our history, when Nigeria was on the brink of uncertainty, we did not waver. We did not let individual ambitions take precedence over the Nigerian people’s aspiration for a better future. We did not give in to the lure of minor party conflicts or self-serving goals. Rather, we opted for unity instead of division, sacrifice rather than personal gain, and the nation above everything else.”

Mark referred to the Ibadan meeting as a possible pivotal moment for the nation, stating, “Let this conference be remembered as the time when everything shifted. Let this mark the start of a strong campaign, a movement that will bring back the honor of our democracy, protect the lives of our citizens, and reestablish the base of our country.”

He also accused the government of deliberately weakening opposition parties.

“The government has claimed that it is not their responsibility to support the opposition. They are correct. And we do not expect any such assistance from them. They refer to their actions as the ‘strategy’ of the opposition political parties. I call it tyranny. But is it their duty to eliminate the opposition as they have openly tried to do? Can someone engage in the actions they have taken and still claim to believe in democracy, or to be a democrat? The answer is clearly no,” he stated.

A warning of ongoing interference, Mark stated that opposition parties need to stay alert and cohesive.

“We should not hesitate. The forces that have aimed to destabilize our different political parties will not cease. Even while we are here, they are already plotting ways to further weaken us and split our ranks, sowing seeds of conflict among us. However, on our path, we must recall where the rains first began to affect us. We must remember how we arrived at this point today. We must remember what has led us here. We must remain clear that we cannot face the future as divided entities. We must unite to save our country. For these reasons, this meeting and our interactions must be based on honesty and integrity. We must lay all our cards openly on the table and speak truthfully to each other. There should be no hidden motives, no last-minute surprises, and no space for distrust. Perhaps above all else, the success of our joint efforts depends on our ability to build and maintain trust,” he said.

He ended by urging immediate action in forming a unified opposition front, emphasizing, “we are competing with time, and working within a narrow timeframe. The urgency of our circumstances doesn’t allow for repeated errors. We need to be ready to transcend limited emotions and reject small-minded regionalism that has traditionally split the opposition in this nation. This is the moment to reshape the narrative of coalition-building in Nigeria.”

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).