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 recognised in 2025 or face 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 processes and acting outside its constitutional mandate.
Rufa’i traced the crisis to a National Executive Committee meeting held on July 29, 2025, during which the party dissolved its National Working Committee and produced a new leadership reportedly led by David Mark. He said INEC initially verified and recognised the outcome in September 2025 without objections.
According to him, individuals who had previously resigned later challenged the process despite what he described as a lack of legal standing. He further alleged that INEC ignored a directive from the Court of Appeal to maintain the last uncontested position and instead acted on pending motions and non-binding communications.
Describing Nigeria as being “under democratic siege,” Rufa’i accused the commission of partisanship and institutional sabotage, insisting that INEC lacked the constitutional authority to interpret court rulings.
He called on the National Assembly to investigate the matter and consider sanctions, including the possible removal of the INEC Chairman, while urging the judiciary to clarify its orders to prevent what he described as manipulation.
The ADC youth leader also appealed to the military to remain neutral, stressing that the dispute was strictly a civil and constitutional issue.
Rufa’i reaffirmed that the leadership produced at the July 2025 NEC meeting remained the party’s only legitimate authority and demanded its immediate restoration on INEC’s official portal, alongside a public apology from the commission and a commitment to neutrality.
He further urged the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to avoid actions that could weaken opposition parties, warning that such steps could threaten democratic stability.
The youth wing warned that failure to comply within 72 hours would trigger peaceful nationwide protests, including planned occupation of INEC offices across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The development follows INEC’s recent derecognition of the ADC leadership over a pending court dispute. The commission’s chairman, Joash Amupitan, had earlier cautioned that proceeding with planned party congresses and a national convention amid the dispute could affect the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
