Former Senate President David Mark has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he has been appointed interim National Chairman.
His defection marks a major shift in Nigeria’s opposition politics, as the ADC has now become the adopted platform for a new coalition of opposition parties.
Also joining him in the new leadership is former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who has been named interim National Secretary of the ADC under the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria.
Mark’s resignation letter, entitled: “Notice of resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)”, dated July 27, was addressed to the chairman of Ward 1, Otukpo in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
He attributed his decision to quit PDP to recent developments which, he said, had reduced the party to a shadow of its former self, thus subjecting it to public ridicule.
“I bring warm greetings to you and members of the PDP, Otukpo Ward 1 and, by extension, to the entire Benue State and Nigeria. I write to formally inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the party with immediate effect.
“You may recall that over the years, I have remained firm and deeply committed to the ideals of the PDP.
“Even when nearly all stakeholders departed the party following our loss in the 2015 presidential election, I pledged to remain the last man standing.
“I have worked steadfastly to rebuild, reconcile and reposition the party, efforts which, without sounding immodest, helped restore the PDP to national relevance and made it once again a party of choice for many Nigerians.
“However, recent events marked by deepening divisions, persistent leadership crisis and irreconcilable differences have reduced the party to a shadow of its former self, subjecting it to public ridicule,” he said.
The former senate president said that after wide consultations with his family, friends and political associates, he resolved to join the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria.
This, he said, was part of the collective efforts to rescue the country and preserve its hard-earned democracy.
