The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has inaugurated a national reconciliation and peace committee to strengthen unity, rebuild trust and resolve grievances ahead of the 2027 general election. National Chairman of ADC, David Mark, who performed the inauguration on Wednesday in Abuja, named former senator Tunde Ogbeha as chairman; former Edo State governor, Oserheimen Osunbor (South-south), deputy chairman; Ahmad Ajuji (North-east) and Musa Elayo (North-central), members, among others.
Mr Mark described the reconciliation as essential, saying it was meant to ensure every ADC member felt valued and included. He said the ADC was founded on democracy, inclusion, justice, consultation and its handshake philosophy, which encouraged members to build bridges across political differences. “Our recently concluded primaries produced winners, but they also produced disappointments and grievances. These are realities we must acknowledge and address clearly today,” he said.
He said an election might determine the party’s flag bearers, but should never determine who belonged to the party or remained valuable members. “Those who did not emerge victorious remain valuable members of the ADC. Their experience, networks, structures and commitment remain important assets,” Mr Mark added. He urged successful aspirants to recognise that victory came with responsibility, stressing that it was not a licence to exclude, humiliate or marginalise other members.
The national chairman said the party’s major challenge was building a united political platform capable of winning Nigerians’ confidence, rather than fighting members who contested against others. The committee’s terms of reference, according to Mr Mark, included engaging aspirants, candidates, leaders and stakeholders in constructive dialogue to identify grievances, address legitimate concerns, and fully rebuild trust. “I expect the committee to discharge this responsibility with fairness, neutrality, maturity, sincerity and confidentiality.
Everyone must support this reconciliation process wholeheartedly,” he said.