The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David A. B. Mark, on Monday inaugurated the party’s Policy and Manifesto Committee, charging members to develop practical, compassionate policies aimed at easing the hardship facing Nigerians.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, Mark said the exercise went beyond setting up another committee, describing it as a responsibility placed on the party as “a rescue mission” at a time when the country is under severe social and economic strain.
He painted a grim picture of living conditions across the country, noting that families are working harder while earning less, food prices are rising faster than wages, and electricity supply remains unreliable despite increasing tariffs. He also criticised rising tax burdens and persistent insecurity, which he said continue to disrupt social and economic life.
According to Mark, Nigerians are experiencing unprecedented levels of poverty and hardship, worsened by what he described as “needlessly vicious policies” of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He said citizens are no longer interested in political rhetoric or blame games, but are demanding credible alternatives that can immediately improve their lives and secure their future.
“Nigerians want policies that show compassion and demonstrate that government understands what they are going through,” he said, adding that the ADC represents a people-first approach focused on practical solutions rather than propaganda.
Mark argued that Nigeria does not lack ideas but suffers from a failure to translate policy into reality. He criticised past approaches where committees and reports produced little impact on citizens’ lives, stressing that policy should not be about complexity or intellectual display but about addressing root causes.
He dismissed government claims of economic growth and increased revenue as meaningless if they do not translate into better living standards. Using energy as an example, he said high and unreliable power supply cripples productivity, destroys jobs and deepens poverty.
On fuel subsidy removal, Mark said the key issue was not the policy itself but whether Nigerians paying higher fuel prices can see tangible benefits elsewhere. He said the answer, for most citizens, remains negative, and warned that the ADC must clearly explain what it would do differently.
He also highlighted transportation, food security, agriculture, healthcare, education, jobs and security as critical areas requiring integrated, people-focused policies.
He noted that insecurity has far-reaching consequences, including abandoned farms, displaced communities, school closures and reduced economic activity.
On education, Mark emphasised the need for quality learning and human capital development, urging the committee to explore measures that would ensure children are sent to school. He also called attention to the informal sector and small businesses, where most Nigerians earn a living, warning that policies that ignore this reality are bound to fail.
The ADC chairman further stressed the importance of internal party democracy, saying safeguards must be put in place to prevent any individual from taking total control of the party regardless of wealth or influence.
Mark urged the committee to consult widely, not only with experts but also with farmers, traders, workers, parents and young people, and to test every recommendation against a simple standard: whether it reduces suffering or merely shifts it.
“Nigeria does not need rhetoric. She needs honest thinking and workable solutions,” he said.
Formally inaugurating the committee on behalf of the party’s National Working Committee, Mark directed members to break into sub-committees based on their expertise and to co-opt professionals who can add value to their work.
He expressed confidence that the committee’s work would help build a party capable of restoring hope and easing the pain of Nigerians, and concluded by blessing the ADC and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.