The youth wing of the African Democratic Congress has issued a three-day ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission, demanding the immediate restoration of the party leadership that emerged from its July 2025 National Executive Committee meeting.
The warning was delivered on Monday during a press briefing at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, where party youths accused the electoral body of interfering in the internal affairs of the party.
The development follows a decision by INEC last week stating that it would no longer recognise the rival factions of the party led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala after reviewing a ruling from the Court of Appeal.
Addressing journalists, ADC National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufa’i, argued that the commission’s action disregards the party’s internal democratic process.
He explained that the party held a NEC meeting on July 29, 2025, which produced a new National Working Committee headed by David Mark. According to him, officials of INEC were present during the meeting and later recognised the outcome by uploading the leadership list to its portal on September 9, 2025.
“There was no dispute, no objection and no ambiguity at the time,” Rufa’i said, questioning why the commission later reversed its position.
He accused the electoral body of overstepping its authority by interpreting a court order related to the party’s leadership dispute.
“INEC does not have the constitutional power to interpret court judgments,” he said, insisting that such responsibility lies strictly with the judiciary.
The youth leader also challenged the commission’s decision to rely on letters and unresolved court motions when taking action on the matter, describing it as a violation of constitutional procedures.
Beyond the electoral body, the ADC youth wing called on the National Assembly of Nigeria to investigate the commission’s conduct and exercise its oversight powers. Rufa’i suggested lawmakers should consider measures that could include the recall or removal of the INEC chairman.
He also appealed to the judiciary to clearly interpret its orders to prevent misrepresentation, while urging the Nigerian Armed Forces to remain neutral in political matters.
According to him, the leadership inaugurated during the July 29 NEC meeting remains the legitimate leadership of the party, and any attempt to alter it without a final court ruling would be unlawful.
The group is demanding that INEC restore the Mark-led leadership on its official portal, apologise to Nigerians and stop acting on letters or pending motions without binding court orders.
Rufa’i warned that if the commission fails to comply within 72 hours, the youth wing will mobilise nationwide civic action across Nigeria.
He said ADC youths, alongside civil society groups, would peacefully occupy INEC offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory until what they described as the restoration of democratic order.
The youth leader also warned against efforts to weaken opposition parties, insisting that Nigeria must not slide into a one-party system.
