BY AHMED AKANBI
The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Senator David Mark, has said that the party would play by the rules in 2027 but will not accept rigging.
Mark spoke on Wednesday in Abuja when the Governing Council of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development visited the ADC national headquarters.
The delegation was led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, as part of consultations with political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ariwoola said the Centre is committed to free, fair and credible polls and urged the ADC to ensure its candidates and members comply with Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC regulations.
He also asked the party to discourage political violence before, during and after the elections.
Responding, Mark said the ADC is committed to strengthening public confidence in democracy.
”We are committed to playing politics in a manner that promotes public confidence in democracy,” he said.
He pledged that the party would comply with INEC rules and its internal code of conduct contained in its Orange Book.
Mark however warned that civility will not be mistaken for weakness.
”We hold ourselves to the highest standards of good conduct. We will play by the rules. But we will not accept rigging or allow ourselves to be rigged out,” he declared.
The Savannah Centre delegation included its “Council of the Wise” members – Professors Abdullahi Shehu and Azeez Musa Dankano, Executive Director Ambassador Sani Bala, Mr Tunji Lardner and Ambassador Godknows Igali.