2027 Polls: ADC Sets Up Reconciliation Panel To Heal Post-Primary Wounds

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has inaugurated a National Reconciliation and Peace Committee to address grievances from its recent primaries and position the party for a united push in the 2027 general elections.

 

The committee is tasked with engaging aggrieved aspirants, candidates, and stakeholders, and recommending ways to integrate those who lost in the primaries into party structures.

 

Inaugurating the panel in Abuja, ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, said the move was aimed at healing divisions and rebuilding trust within the party.

 

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

 

He urged winning aspirants not to use victory to exclude others, and appealed to those who lost to remain loyal, noting that their experience and structures were vital assets for 2027.

 

“Our real challenge is not the ADC member who contested against you. It is building a platform Nigerians can trust in 2027,” he added.

 

Mark said the committee was established under Article 9.1 of the ADC Constitution and in line with the party’s “Handshake Philosophy” of bridging differences.

 

The 11-member committee is chaired by Senator Tunde Ogbeha, CON, with Senator Oserheimen Osunbor as Deputy Chairman. Peter Oyewale, Esq., will serve as Secretary.

 

Other members cut across the 6 geopolitical zones, including Dr Ahmad Ajuji, Barr Musa Elayo, Senator Andrew Uchendu, Dr Bon Unachukwu, Mr Kunle Ige, Hajia Rabi Sule and Hon. Abubakar Kanike.

 

The chairman directed the committee to set up zonal sub-committees to sustain reconciliation efforts nationwide. He also warned against sabotage and revenge politics.

 

“There must be no internal sabotage. No politics of revenge. No permanent winners and no permanent losers. We are one political family,” he said.

 

Mark stressed that while members retain the right to seek legal redress, internal disputes should first be resolved through dialogue.

 

He said the ADC must present a disciplined and united front ahead of 2027, and called on members to “forgive where necessary, apologise where required, and rebuild lost confidence.”