The African Democratic Congress has inaugurated a National Reconciliation and Peace Committee to address grievances arising from its recently concluded primaries and strengthen unity ahead of the 2027 general election.

National Chairman of the party, Senator David Mark, inaugurated the committee on Wednesday in Abuja, saying the initiative was aimed at rebuilding trust and ensuring that all members remained valued and included in the party.

Mark named former Senator Tunde Ogbeha as chairman of the committee, while former Edo State Governor, Oserheimen Osunbor, was appointed Deputy Chairman.

Ahmad Ajuji, Musa Elayo and other party members were also named as members of the committee.

The ADC chairman said reconciliation was necessary following the disappointments and grievances generated by the party’s primaries, stressing that the process of selecting candidates should not divide members.

“Our recently concluded primaries produced winners, but they also produced disappointments and grievances. These are realities we must acknowledge and address clearly today,” Mark said.

He stressed that losing aspirants remained important to the party, noting that their experience, networks, structures and commitment would be valuable to the ADC’s campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Those who did not emerge victorious remain valuable members of the ADC. Their experience, networks, structures and commitment remain important assets,” he said.

Mark urged successful candidates to see their victories as a responsibility rather than an opportunity to exclude or marginalise other members.

He said the party’s immediate challenge was to build a united political platform capable of winning the confidence of Nigerians, rather than allowing internal disagreements to weaken its structures.

According to him, the committee would engage aspirants, candidates, party leaders and other stakeholders in constructive dialogue to identify grievances, address legitimate concerns and rebuild trust.

He charged the committee to approach the assignment with fairness, neutrality and confidentiality.

“I expect the committee to discharge this responsibility with fairness, neutrality, maturity, sincerity and confidentiality. Everyone must support this reconciliation process wholeheartedly,” Mark said.

The national chairman appealed to party leaders, state chairmen, zonal coordinators, candidates, aspirants and elected representatives to become ambassadors of reconciliation and reject internal sabotage and acts of revenge.

He said the 2027 election would require a disciplined, coordinated and united ADC, warning that the party could not afford to approach the polls as a divided house.

“The ADC is bigger than any individual, aspirant, candidate or office. Our Handshake Philosophy requires us to reach across differences and build bridges,” he said.

Mark called on aggrieved members to give the reconciliation process a chance, while urging successful candidates to extend a hand of fellowship to their former rivals.

He also urged unsuccessful aspirants to remain committed to the party and called on leaders to lead by example.

The chairman charged members of the committee to build bridges, heal wounds, restore confidence and unite the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

OGbeha PLEDGES COMMITMENT

In his acceptance speech, Ogbeha, a retired Brigadier-General and former military governor of Akwa Ibom State, acknowledged the responsibility before the committee and pledged to work towards achieving its objectives.

He said members must place the interest of Nigeria and the party above personal ambitions as the country approaches the 2027 elections.

“Our members must sacrifice and put Nigeria first, then the party and personal interests, because the 2027 election offers another opportunity for collective success,” Ogbeha said.

He assured the ADC leadership that members of the committee would discharge their responsibilities with honesty, transparency and diligence while pursuing justice, reconciliation, peace and unity.

The inauguration comes as the ADC intensifies efforts to consolidate its structures and resolve internal disagreements ahead of the 2027 general election.