ADC to end culture of parallel budgeting, entrench party supremacy – Mark

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday, said the party will end the era of parallel budgeting.and entrench the principle of party supremacy, as a means to ensuring that leaders execute policies that positively impact on the masses.

This is as the party has accused the President Bola Tinubu’s administration of passing a budget it could not effectively implement.

David Mark, the ADC national chairman, disclosed this at the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held in Abuja.

Speaking on what the party will bring to the table, Mark a former President of the Senate said ADC will defend the separation of powers, restore legislative and judicial independence, and strengthen oversight so that budgets serve the public interest, not private appetites.

According to him, “What makes the ADC different is simple: we will be a party of purpose and determination, not impulses— an institution that champions democratic values and a culture of accountability and responsibility across its organs and in every government it forms.

“Our leadership standard is non-negotiable: character, competence, courage, discipline. These four pillars will guide our choices, shape our culture, and anchor our performances” he said.

“We will end the culture of parallel budgets and extra-budgetary maneuvers by enforcing strict and transparent planning, timely appropriations, and rigorous auditing.”

He also assured that the judiciary will again be a refuge for every citizen, adding that “We will back an independent, efficient, and trusted bench-appointments on merit, transparent case management, time-bound rulings, and a bias for justice over empty technicalities.

“Nigerians are tired of slogans and statistics that do not translate into their welfare: food, power, jobs, and safety. We will focus on what works. We will pursue price stability and productivity through credible, rules-based coordination of fiscal and monetary policy.”

He also promised to deliver reliable power supply by expanding power generation, fixing transmission bottlenecks, and rewarding distribution performance.

Also speaking on food security, Mark said the party “will secure our food supply by supporting farmers and agricultural value chains from inputs and storage to processing and markets.

“We will back small businesses and industry with affordable, performance-tied credit and local content that creates jobs, not rent.

“We will shine a bright light on every naira-no parallel budgets, no black-box spending, no sacred cows. Judge us by what Nigerians feel in their daily lives, rhetorics and bland statistics: lower volatility, more reliable power, visible projects, and decent work.

“Our foreign policy will be Pan-African-rooted in regional integration and international peace. We will champion trade within Africa, harmonise standards that open markets for Nigerian goods and services, leverage diaspora capital, and build coalitions that keep our sub-region stable and prosperous.”

Mark who accused the political class of putting in place a government that only serves their purpose, also promised to change the outdated pattern of administration adopted by the current administration

“We must model a new attitude to leadership across every sphere-public, private, and civic.”

Addressing members of the NWC, Mark said their mission is not “only to attain power in 2027; it is to leave a legacy which the future generations will be proud to inherit. We are in a marathon we must compete-and win. Failure is not an option.”

The party chairman said the National Working Committee has urgent tasks. “We must review our constitution to reflect the new order, develop a code of ethics, financing rules, and compliance systems. We must establish functional ward, local government, and state structures with trained organisers, digital registers, and service desks. We will build a leadership pipeline through a merit-based academy-policy, ethics, communications, and delivery.”

He further said, “We will receive reports from the Secretariat and zones and prepare for regular and off-cycle elections well in advance. And we will field only credible and viable candidates who meet the 4-pillar standard-Character, Competence, Courage, and Discipline.

“Nigeria and Nigerians-will accept nothing less. The political class has too often served itself. We must change this outdated pattern. We must model a new attitude to leadership across every sphere-public, private, and civic.

“Let it be said of the ADC that we kept faith with the people, that we were steady under pressure, honest in our dealings, and relentless in delivery. We do not seek power for its own sake; we seek it to build a legacy worthy of our children.”

Among those present at the event includes, David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the National Secretary, Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Osaheimen Osunbor, former Governor of Edo State, among others.

“We begin with a conviction that Nigeria can, and will, work for everyone — and with a commitment to build a party bigger than any personality , stronger than any moment and positively different from any party in the annals of our country.”

The party with a coalition of political heavyweights, said it remains “Pan-African, people-oriented, problem -solving movement— sensitive to the needs of the poor and the young, women and men, persons with disabilities, workers, peasants entrepreneurs, retirees, civil society, and the vulnerable. We will convert empathy into policy , and policy into results”.