By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
The Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a three-day ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the restoration of the party’s leadership as recognized 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 democratic principles and acting beyond its constitutional mandate.
Rufa’i declared that “Nigeria is under democratic siege,” alleging that institutions established to protect the will of the people were being compromised and used against democratic values.
He traced the origin of the leadership crisis to the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, where the National Working Committee was dissolved and a new leadership led by David Mark emerged. According to him, INEC verified and officially recognized the outcome of that meeting in September 2025 without any objections.
Explaining further, Rufa’i said:
“Months later, individuals who had already resigned resurfaced to challenge a process they had no legal standing in.”
He also alleged that despite a directive from the Court of Appeal to maintain the last uncontested position, INEC ignored the order and instead relied on pending motions and non-binding communications.
Rufa’i insisted that INEC does not have the constitutional authority to interpret court judgments.
According to him:
“INEC’s actions amount to complicity, partisanship, and institutional sabotage.”
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The youth leader called on the National Assembly to urgently investigate the situation and consider appropriate sanctions, including the possible removal of the INEC Chairman. He also appealed to the judiciary to clarify its orders to prevent what he described as manipulation and to reaffirm its role as the sole interpreter of the law.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the youth leadere further urged the Nigerian military to remain neutral, stressing that the matter remains strictly civil and constitutional.
Reaffirming the party’s position, Rufa’i maintained that the leadership produced at the July 2025 NEC meeting remains the only legitimate authority within the ADC.
He warned that:
“Any attempt to alter that leadership without a final court judgment would be illegal, null, and void.”
The ADC youth wing also outlined its demands, which include the immediate restoration of the David Mark-led leadership on INEC’s official portal, a public apology from the commission, and a clear commitment to neutrality and adherence to the rule of law.
Rufa’i also called on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to avoid actions capable of weakening opposition parties, warning that such actions could endanger Nigeria’s democracy.
He issued a strong warning that failure to comply with their demands within 72 hours would lead to nationwide peaceful protests, including the occupation of INEC offices across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
In his words:
“We will not retreat, we will not be intimidated, and we will not be silenced. This is bigger than ADC. This is about Nigeria.”
The development comes just days after INEC derecognized the ADC leadership following a pending court dispute.
Meanwhile, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, had earlier warned that if the ADC proceeds with its planned congresses and national convention, it could have consequences for the party’s participation in the 2027 general elections.
