David Mark Holds Meeting With Ex-ADC Lawmakers
Former Senate President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) national chairman, David Mark, on Wednesday, held a meeting with representatives of former federal lawmakers of the party following a wave of defections in the National Assembly.
David Mark met the lawmakers amid growing political realignments that saw 17 members of the House of Representatives leave the African Democratic Congress for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The defection was formally announced on Tuesday during plenary after Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu read the letters of resignation.
The lawmakers who defected represent 17 constituencies across the country, including Yusuf Datti (Kura/Madobi/Garun Mallam, Kano), Harris Okonkwo (Idemili North/Idemili South, Anambra), Sani Adamu (Minjibir/Ungogo, Kano), Thaddeus Attah (Eti-Osa, Lagos), and George Ozodinobi, the deputy minority whip (Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia, Anambra).
Others are Lilian Obiageli (Awka North/Awka South, Anambra), Oluwaseyi Sowunmi (Ojo, Lagos), Peter Anekwe (Anambra East/West), Zakari Mukhtari (Tarauni, Kano), George Olawande (Amuwo Odofin, Lagos), Murphy Omoruyi (Egor/Ikpoba Okha, Edo), Umezuruike Manuchim (Port Harcourt I, Rivers), Emeka Idu (Onitsha North/South, Anambra), Jese Onuakalusi (Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos), Ifeanyi Uzokwe (Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo, Anambra), Afam Ogene (Ogbaru, Anambra), and Kamilu Ado (Wudil/Garko, Kano).
Leke Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, also left the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
The lawmakers cited leadership challenges and legal disputes within the party as reasons for their defection.
In a post on X, David Mark’s technical adviser on strategic communication, Kola Ologbondiyan, said, “The representatives of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) former Federal Lawmakers in a crucial meeting with the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, Wednesday,” he wrote.
Ologbondiyan, however, did not disclose further details of the meeting.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
