The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has launched a major reconciliation drive to heal divisions triggered by its 2027 primary elections, urging aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to close ranks ahead of the general election.

The opposition party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, warned that the ADC could not afford internal cracks if it hopes to emerge as a credible and formidable alternative to Nigerians in 2027.

Mark spoke in Abuja on Wednesday while inaugurating the party’s Reconciliation and Peace Committee, headed by former Senate Leader, Senator Tunde Ogbeha.

He acknowledged that the recently concluded primaries produced winners as well as disappointed aspirants, insisting that the party must urgently address the grievances arising from the exercise.

“Our recently concluded primaries produced winners, but they also produced disappointments and grievances. These are realities we must acknowledge and address,” Mark said.

“An election may determine who carries the flag, but it must never determine who belongs to the party.”

The ADC chairman appealed to unsuccessful aspirants to put their differences aside and support the party’s candidates, stressing that their political experience, networks and structures remain vital to the party’s chances in 2027.

But Mark also sent a warning to those who emerged victorious, cautioning them against using their victories to sideline or humiliate former rivals.

“Those who emerged victorious must recognise that victory comes with responsibility. It is not a licence to exclude, humiliate or marginalise others,” he said.

According to him, the party’s real challenge is not the ADC member who contested against another member during the primaries, but how to build a united political platform capable of winning the confidence of Nigerians.

ADC OPENS DOOR FOR AGGRIEVED ASPIRANTS

Mark charged the reconciliation committee to meet directly with aspirants, candidates, party leaders and other stakeholders to identify grievances, address legitimate complaints and rebuild trust.

He also urged members to refrain from inflammatory comments, unnecessary litigation and other actions capable of worsening divisions within the party.

While acknowledging the constitutional right of members to seek legal redress, the ADC chairman said disputes that could be resolved through dialogue and internal party mechanisms should be settled without resorting to prolonged litigation.

He directed the committee to recommend practical measures for integrating unsuccessful aspirants and their supporters into the party’s structures.

“No political structure, relationship, experience or commitment developed during the primaries should be wasted,” Mark said.

The reconciliation effort comes as the ADC seeks to consolidate its opposition platform and present a united front ahead of the 2027 general election.

‘NIGERIA FIRST, PARTY SECOND, SELF LAST’

Responding, committee chairman Tunde Ogbeha acknowledged the magnitude of the assignment and pledged to give all aggrieved members a fair hearing.

He appealed for tolerance and sacrifice, urging aspirants to subordinate personal ambitions to the larger objective of strengthening the party.

“We have a responsibility to put Nigeria first, then the party and ourselves last,” Ogbeha said.

He promised that the committee would do everything within its capacity to promote justice and reconciliation within the party.

Ogbeha also urged aggrieved aspirants not to view losing the 2027 ticket as the end of their political ambitions.

“If we don’t succeed in what we are looking for this time around, four years is not too long. There will be another opportunity to present yourself,” he said.

With the 2027 political contest gathering momentum, the ADC’s reconciliation initiative is expected to test whether the opposition party can convert its growing political coalition into a disciplined and united electoral machine.