Omokri knocks David Mark over ADC leadership tussle with younger rival

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Ambassador Reno Omokri has criticised ex-Senate President David Mark over his reported involvement in a leadership struggle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the situation as troubling and emblematic of deeper structural issues within the party.

In a strongly worded post on his social media page, Omokri questioned the optics of a political contest between Mark, who turns 78 on April 8, 2026, and a much younger party member, Nafiu Bala, aged 35.

“Why would God bless anyone to get to the ripe old age of 78, and you will at that stage of your life be dragging a position with someone who is fifteen years younger than your daughter?” Omokri wrote, expressing disapproval of the generational clash.

He underscored Mark’s long political career, noting that the former military governor of Niger State and ex-communications minister had held public office for decades.

“David Mark got his first political appointment in 1976 which is 50 years ago,” he stated, contrasting this with Bala’s relatively young age and recent emergence in political circles.

Omokri described the development as “sad,” arguing that it raises questions about leadership transition and generational balance within Nigerian political parties.

He added: “I would have thought that David Mark would be embarrassed to be in a power tussle with a youth who is almost the same age as his first grandchild.”

Beyond the personalities involved, the former aide blamed the crisis on what he described as a failure of internal party structures within the African Democratic Congress.

According to him, elders who should ordinarily mediate disputes are themselves entangled in struggles for influence.

“The problem with the ADC is that the elders in that party, who should have been in charge of conflict resolution organs… are the very people struggling for power,” Omokri said.

He warned that the situation has weakened the party’s internal cohesion, adding that the resulting tensions cannot be attributed to external actors.

“This has led to the breakdown of the moral fabric of their party, for which they are to blame, not the Federal Government, the Presidency, or the Independent National Electoral Commission,” he added.