By Effiong Nyong 31-7-2025
In the words of Senator David Mark, the new national chairman of the African Democratic Congress ADC “There will be zero tolerance for anti party activities, you are either with ADC or not.”
The warning after his inauguration as the national chairman, taking over from chief Ralphs Nwosu, who led the party since inception, marked the end and the beginning of a new era for the “Hand shake party.”
The welcome for the coalition of political parties and individuals, has been awesome as it arrived to take away the fears of Nigerians who have become very scared that the country was sliding into a one party state, a situation occasioned by the gale of endorsements and defections into the ruling party in the country , and the dictatorial tendencies of the administration. A development that have made even non politicians to be hopeful that a new Nigeria is possible.
This follows the heightened sense of arrogance and impunity displayed by some government appointees like the minister of the federal capital territory, whose ministry accounts have been exempted from the Single Treasury Account, giving him freedom to collect money and spend as he deems fit.
The minister can be said to be the president of the FCT , he minister also controls a large chunk of the Peoples Democratic Party’s structures, while serving the government of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC,) in an unprecedented anti-party political posturing and showmanship without any remorse or respect, leading to grave disillusionment in the once celebrated largest political party in Africa. A political party that some expected to be in power for 60 years, according to one of its former national chairmen.
The turmoil, rancour and litigations in the Labour Party LP, the strong party of the 2023 election also became very scary, therefore the emergence of the African Democratic Congress(ADC) as a political force and coalition platform after months of speculation brought a huge relief to Nigerians, who have become hopeful all over again, but that is where the fears begin.
Permit me to pay attention to Cross River state, a first generation Democratic society that has remained backward by choice.
In our state, it is clear that all is not well, yet we smile and even laugh while suffering, you feel it from any of the entry points into the state, traveling by road.
All three routes are nightmarish, 1-Calabar – Itu, 2- From Ebonyi, 3- From Obudu. Approaching our state capital is another, and you wonder how if our state officials travel on those roads, you may check them out and verify. If you ask about our ministry of works , defenders of government will jump at you , saying that the roads belong to the federal government, and my answers always are that, shouldn’t we do palliatives on the road for the sake of our citizens?
These roads run through our local government council areas. The roads hinder the transportation of farm products to urban centers.
This calls for Coalition partners to synergize and move to harness their potentials and give hope to our citizens. Therefore we call on our friends who are poised to take over and dominate, to tread softly and care about others. We must do away with attitudes that could be frustrating and disrespecting people’s feelings , as dispositions of this nature in the past that had led us to distrust each other, which brought retrogression, despair and loss of the people’s confidence in the governance system.
The same situation brought about the emergence of local strongmen, who undermined the sincerity of purpose and true sense of comradeship and commitment .
On our part , we toured from Obudu to Bakassi, consulting and sensitizing our people on the need for us to welcome the coalition partners, to join hands and take our country and state back. We told them that we have all become born again politicians, who now have the fear of God and the interest of our people at heart, to move our state and country forward, that we shall not do anything that could subvert the system.
Following the momentum set by the new national chairman senator David Mark in his inaugural speech, where he spoke about what the ADC stands for. He explained the special provision for women and youths of the country, that the party brings hope and a future for the teeming population of young people from diverse groups and backgrounds.
Senator David Mark explained that the party shall use clean clear templates, follow agreements and galvanize support and followership, based on capacity and the mission to rescue Nigeria .
The blacksmith that knows his trade, bends the iron while it is hot. This coalition iron is hot and we are poised to shape it properly and positively before it gets cold. Like the blacksmith that knows his irons, Nigerians are enthusiastic and are calling on leaders to do the correct thing follow processes, procedures and culture of respect, reverence and decorum, irrespective of perceptions.
Without any prejudices , let us examine our conscience in relation to what has become of Cross River state, as a first generation Democratic society in Nigeria, that took part in the first election of 1923, in line with the Clifford constitution of 1922. How does that show in our present day political conduct?
As of 2025, today, can we compare development in Akwa Ibom state with our dear Cross River state, a state that was created in 1987? Coming into Cross River state by road, is a huge nightmare, from Benue state as terrible as it is, is about the smoothest, is it from Ebonyi state or Odukpani? Heading to the state capital is a different ball game. From Iwuru after Ugep to Calabar would take 3 hours, while from Uyo, you will be lucky to travel for 4 hours. Our water ways are not safe and our airport in Calabar that was built about 100 years ago is the smallest airstrip in the country.
Our state without prejudice is damp and requires a breath of fresh air, through new thinking, new dreams and visions. Enough is enough for the “KILL AND DIVIDE” kind of politics where voracious domination and control are the operative words, where funds meant for development are shared amongst allies and loyalists. Where appointments and party tickets are given to people who are considered loyal, not merit, not capacity, not integrity, but primitive nepotistic sentiments.
It is Without any prejudices that I implore all of us to behave with the fear of God, whom we all claim to serve. Let’s keep to agreements and follow procedures. Let’s reject “IMPUNITY” and stop undermining people. Cross River state is one of the most endowed states in Nigeria, yet so backward, for instance, how do explain the state of our roads with all the quarries in the state, from where stones and rocks are taken for road construction elsewhere, after being the first in so many areas of human endeavors. We must not miss this opportunity, for it is golden.
The coalition is an opportunity to reset, rebuild and recreate Cross River state. No time to dwell on blaming anyone, our destiny is in our hands.