Abuja, Nigeria — The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has said the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election is proof that democracy can still work in Nigeria, Zilla Naija reports.
Mark made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja during the official collation and declaration of results from the ADC presidential primary.
In his address, the former Senate President said the primary exercise was more than a mere announcement — it was a demonstration that political competition in Nigeria need not lead to chaos or conflict.
“Today is not just about announcing a presidential candidate… it’s about proving that democracy can still work,” Mark said, adding that a political party could organise itself around principles and orderly processes rather than personalities.
He emphasised that the ADC stood out by allowing an open contest among several strong aspirants, rather than imposing a candidate by decree — a practice he said sometimes happens in other parties.
During the event, Mark noted that former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and economist Mohammed Hayatu‑Deen also contested the ADC presidential ticket but were defeated by Atiku’s wide margin.
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He commended both aspirants for participating, saying their involvement showed the party’s internal democratic strength.
Political watchers in Abuja told Zilla Naija that Mark’s message was aimed at rebuilding Nigerians’ faith in democratic processes, especially as the country heads toward one of its most contested elections in recent memory — the 2027 general polls.
By highlighting an orderly primary and a peaceful transition of candidacy within the party, the ADC leadership hopes to strengthen its image as a credible alternative to larger parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reactions online have been mixed — some Nigerians praised the statement, saying it shows that internal party democracy still matters, while others remained sceptical, arguing that real democratic maturity in Nigeria must be reflected in wider national governance beyond party primaries.
