The Benue Concerned Democrats (BCD) has voiced strong opposition to what it calls an attempt by former Senate President, Senator David Mark, to take over the African Democratic Congress (ADC) through a proposed “Coalition for 2027.”
In a statement released on Monday, BCD Convener, Arc Idoha Audu Anuga, criticized what he described as “recycled opportunism” disguised as leadership. He accused Mark and his allies of using the coalition to regain political relevance.
According to the group, Senator Mark’s renewed political activity within the ADC signals a dangerous effort to revive what they see as a failed and authoritarian political approach.
Anuga said: “Nigerians must not forget who David Mark truly is. He is no democrat. His anti-democratic credentials are etched in history, beginning with his shadowy support for the discredited Association for Better Nigeria (ABN), the political hit squad used by Arthur Nzeribe to sabotage the June 12 mandate of Chief MKO Abiola. Mark stood not with the people, but with the enemies of democracy.
“In Benue South, his political legacy reeks of rigging, intimidation, and manipulation. The most infamous being his fraudulent ‘victory’ over the popular young Alhaji Usman Abubakar in a senatorial contest many still remember as one of the worst electoral daylight robberies in Benue history.
“His record in the Senate is equally disgraceful, 16 years of redundant leadership, where the Senate under his watch was nothing short of a rubber stamp, and arguably the worst-performing in Nigeria’s democratic experience.
“Today, Benue South has nothing to show for David Mark’s over a decade in power, no federal projects, no legacy, not even a sustainable youth empowerment programme. His people are left with memories of wasted years and dashed hopes.
“Now, like a moth to political flame, he’s back, hoping to sneak into government again, this time through the ADC, pretending to lead a ‘Coalition’ of change. Nigerians must be warned: this is the same old Mark, backed by the same gang of expired political jobbers seeking to line their pockets once more under the guise of rescuing Nigeria.
“If the ADC must survive as a credible platform, it must distance itself from David Mark and his ilk. The so-called coalition has made a tragic error asking him to lead the charge against the APC. You do not fight democratic decay by recycling those who contributed to it.
“As citizens of Benue, we are best placed to expose David Mark’s longstanding abandonment of his immediate constituency. His disengagement is total, politically, morally, and developmentally.
“His military career, much like his political life, was punctuated by dictatorial tendencies, habitual abuse of office, intimidation, and harassment of perceived opponents. From khaki to agbada, the Mark signature has always been fear, not service; control, not development.”
The group further alleged that both Senator Mark’s political and military careers were characterized by autocratic tendencies, abuse of power, and a lack of inclusive governance.
Anuga added: “We, the Benue Concerned Democrats, reject David Mark’s attempted reincarnation in whatever form. Nigerians deserve a clean break from yesterday’s men. David Mark represents the rot of the past, not the hope of the future.”
