ADC Youth Wing has given INEC 72-hour ultimatum to restored David Mark–ledlLeadership and threatened nationwide protest.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the youth wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the restoration of the party’s leadership as recognised in 2025 or risk nationwide civic action.
Addressing journalists on Monday at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, the ADC National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufa’i, accused INEC of undermining democracy and exceeding its constitutional powers.
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Rufa’i said Nigeria was currently “under democratic siege,” alleging that institutions responsible for protecting the will of the people were being compromised and weaponised against democratic principles.
He traced the crisis to a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, during which the party dissolved its National Working Committee and produced a new leadership led by former Senate President David Mark. According to him, INEC verified and recognised the outcome of the meeting in September 2025 without dispute.
“Months later, individuals who had already resigned resurfaced to challenge a process they had no legal standing in,” Rufa’i said, adding that despite a directive from the Court of Appeal of Nigeria to maintain the last uncontested position, INEC allegedly ignored the order and acted on pending motions and non-binding communications.
He argued that the electoral body lacked constitutional authority to interpret court rulings, describing its actions as “complicity, partisanship, and institutional sabotage.”
The ADC youth leader called on the National Assembly of Nigeria to investigate the matter and consider sanctions against the commission, including the possible removal of its chairman, Joash Amupitan. He also urged the judiciary to clarify its orders to prevent what he described as attempts to manipulate the process.
Rufa’i further appealed to the Nigerian Armed Forces to remain neutral, stressing that the dispute was purely a civil and constitutional issue.
Reaffirming the party’s position, he declared that the leadership produced at the July 2025 NEC meeting remained the only legitimate authority within the ADC, warning that any alteration without a final court judgment would be “illegal, null and void.”
The group demanded the immediate restoration of the David Mark–led leadership on INEC’s official portal, a public apology from the commission, and assurances that it would uphold neutrality and the rule of law.
Rufa’i also called on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to avoid actions that could weaken opposition parties, warning that such moves could threaten Nigeria’s democracy.
He warned that failure to meet the demands within 72 hours would trigger peaceful nationwide protests, including the planned occupation of INEC offices across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“We will not retreat, we will not be intimidated, and we will not be silenced. This is bigger than ADC. This is about Nigeria,” he said.
The ultimatum comes days after INEC derecognised the ADC leadership over a pending court dispute, a move that could affect the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
