ADC Takes Over Atiku Campaigns Office As New National Secretariat
•By Admin
ABUJA – THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken over the campaign office used by Atiku Abuja in the 2023 presidential election as its new national secretariat
unveiled the new national secretariat in Abuja on Monday ahead of the 2027 general elections, ADC National Chairman, Sen. David Mark said “it is a physical testament to our collective resolve to build a greater nation.”
In his speech, Mark disclosed that when they launched the party, they made it clear that the ADC coalition is a historic child of necessity inspired by peoples’ desire for good governance, greater accountability.
He said: “We gather here in the heart of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja not merely to unveil a building, but to unveil a new chapter; a bold statement of purpose and commitment to democracy and service to our country.
“When we began this journey, many doubted us, while some questioned our motives. But as we take this step forward today, we make it clear that this ADC coalition is a historic child of necessity inspired by peoples’ desire for good governance, greater accountability and a stronger democracy.
“From this moment forward, this complex becomes the operational centre of our political movement. Here, strategies will be shaped. Ideas will be refined and the next generation of leaders will emerge. From within these walls, we shall continue to champion policies that will uplift communities, strengthen institutions, and safeguard the democratic foundations upon which our republic stands.
“Let this day mark the end of old divisions. Let today symbolize the rise of a stronger, more disciplined, more visionary and more people oriented political party with only one agenda; to serve Nigeria.
“Let us step forward with renewed commitment to justice, equity, service, and nation-building. Let us demonstrate to Nigerians that politics is about leadership and leadership is about responsibility and service to the people.”
Mark, in his message, emphasized that “this is not business as usual, everything we do going forward will be anchored on Character, Courage, Competence, Discipline and Integrity.”
Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the unveiling, the spokesman of the party, Mallam Abdullahi Bolaji, said that Atiku is not the owner of the building and it has nothing to do with him.
He said: “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar used to be the tenant of this building which he used for his presidential campaign. But his tenancy has lapsed. Now the African Democratic Congress is the tenant of this building. So this building at no time did it belong to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
“He leased it for the purpose of his campaign, and that lease has ceased. And now the tenancy is occupied by the African Democratic Congress. So the point I’m making is that, sorry, to address conclusively what I was saying, this is not an indication of anything, because you are insinuating that probably this is the direction the party is going.
“This has nothing to do with it. Atiku has nothing to do with our movement here. This is solely an ADC decision. And that’s why you see potential presidential candidates, other potential presidential candidates are also here today for the unveiling.”
Speaking on why parties have issues, Bolaji explained that injustice and lack of fairness is the root cause of crisis in political parties.
He said: “We are glad that, you know, this political party we are running, and in every political party you have contended interests. But we are glad that we have kept disagreements and conflicts within our party relatively low. It doesn’t mean others will not come up, because, like I said, it’s a political party.
“But the most important thing is that the national headquarters of this party, under the chairman of David Mark, has made it clear that the party will be fair to everyone concerned. And as long as there is fairness and justice, if you look at those other parties we are talking about, at the root of what we call their crisis is injustice and lack of fairness to party members and other leaders. So we, as ADC, like the chairman said today, it’s not going to be business as usual.
“And we believe that as long as we continue to play by those principles that have brought us here, into the coalition, we will continue. Even when problems arise, we can deal with them. For example, the chairman promised all the legacy chairmen across the country that nobody is going to throw them away.
“And you can see that we have kept our words that they are still there. So if other issues come up, we will deal with it.”
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