ADC Begins Membership Drive,Targets Grassroots

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has inaugurated its Membership, Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration (MRMR) Committee, with the national chairman, Senator David Mark, saying the exercise is critical to repositioning the party for growth, unity and electoral relevance.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja yesterday, Mark said no political party could aspire to national relevance without a strong, credible and properly documented membership base, describing membership as the lifeblood of any democratic organisation.

He disclosed that the ADC, founded on the principles of justice, equity, accountability and people-centred governance, must be anchored on verifiable membership records and effective mobilisation structures across the federation.

According to him, the committee was constituted following a resolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) to revalidate existing members, register new ones, strengthen grassroots structures and harmonise membership data nationwide.

“As we look ahead to future political engagements, it has become imperative to revalidate our members and register new ones in a transparent and inclusive manner,” Mark said.

He charged the committee to discharge its assignment with integrity, fairness and transparency, stressing that the exercise must promote inclusion, unity and internal democracy rather than exclusion.

“The responsibility placed on you is both demanding and historic. Unity and credibility are the foundation upon which the future of the ADC will be built,” he stated.

The national chairman explained that the committee’s mandate includes developing electronic and manual registration platforms, conducting nationwide membership revalidation across all states and the Federal Capital Territory, harmonising existing records and submitting an interim report within 30 days.

He added that newly designed membership cards would have enhanced security features and be state-specific.

In his acceptance speech, the chairman of the MRMR Committee, Kashim Imam said the inauguration marked the beginning of a new era for the party, declaring that the ADC was set to become “a very different party.”

“There is a new regime and a new sheriff in town, and this party will be very different,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of committee members, he formally accepted the assignment and assured the party leadership of diligent and committed service.

According to him, the committee would work to return the ADC to the average Nigerian, describing the party as a grassroots movement meant for ordinary citizens.

“The ADC will belong to the peasants, the masses, the poor and the downtrodden. Ordinary Nigerians will take ownership of this party,” he said.

He argued that Nigeria is richly endowed with human and natural resources and has no justification for widespread poverty, adding that the ADC is determined to change that narrative.

“When the ADC comes to power, no Nigerian will be poor,” he declared.

The committee chairman also said the seriousness of the assignment was underscored by the fact that it was the first committee inaugurated under the current leadership.

“We will not sleep or rest. We will work round the clock, mobilising and registering members in the creeks, deserts and across the length and breadth of this country,” he said.

He disclosed that work had already commenced and asked committee members to remain behind after the inauguration for their first meeting to immediately begin the nationwide exercise.