The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has accused some senior ADC leaders of playing a key role in the rise of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at a joint media briefing organized by opposition parties, Mark said the “repressive and failed governance” witnessed under APC today can be traced to decisions taken by some ADC chieftains at the time.

Although he did not mention names directly, those present at the event appeared uneasy, aware that Mark’s comments were aimed at prominent figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, who reportedly supported APC during the 2015 elections.

Mark’s remarks came on the heels of a statement by Atiku, who expressed regret over the role he and others played in bringing APC into power. Atiku had stated,

“It was because of issues like insecurity across the country that some of us worked to bring APC into government in 2015. But the situation has deteriorated, and democracy is under serious assault.”

Following Atiku’s comments, Mark took the podium and said:

“The problem we are facing today was caused by some of you here at the high table. I challenge you to deny that you were part of the problems brought upon us by the APC.”

There was no response from the ADC leaders in attendance.

The event comes amid ongoing criticism of APC’s performance, with opposition parties increasingly vocal about governance failures and democratic backsliding.