BREAKING: ADC youths give INEC 72-hour deadline, threaten nationwide protest

The Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has handed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a 72-hour ultimatum, demanding the reinstatement of the party’s leadership as acknowledged in 2025 or risk mass civic action across the country.

Speaking with journalists on Monday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, ADC National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufa’i, accused INEC of overstepping its constitutional boundaries and weakening democratic processes.

Rufa’i described Nigeria as being “under democratic siege,” alleging that institutions meant to safeguard the will of the people were being compromised and weaponized against democratic principles.

He linked the dispute 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 headed by David Mark emerged.

He noted that INEC had initially validated and recognized the outcome in September 2025 without objections.

“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 Court of Appeal directive to maintain the last uncontested position, INEC allegedly ignored the order and acted on pending motions and non-binding communications.

He insisted that INEC lacked the constitutional authority to interpret court rulings, describing its actions as “complicity, partisanship, and institutional sabotage”.

The youth leader urged the National Assembly to immediately probe the issue and consider sanctions, including the possible removal of the INEC Chairman. He also called on the judiciary to clearly define its rulings to prevent manipulation and reaffirm its role as the sole interpreter of the law.

Rufa’i further appealed to the military to remain neutral, stressing that the matter is purely civil and constitutional.

Reiterating the party’s position, he maintained that the leadership formed at the July 2025 NEC meeting remains the only legitimate authority within the ADC, warning that any attempt to alter it without a final court ruling would be “illegal, null, and void”.

The group listed its demands, including the immediate restoration of the David Mark-led leadership on INEC’s official portal, a public apology from the commission, and a commitment to neutrality and adherence to the rule of law.

Rufa’i also urged the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to avoid actions that could undermine opposition parties, warning that such steps could endanger Nigeria’s democracy.

He warned that failure to meet the demands within the stipulated timeframe would result in peaceful nationwide protests, including the occupation of INEC offices across all 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 development follows INEC’s recent decision to withdraw recognition of the ADC leadership amid an ongoing court dispute.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, had earlier stated that proceeding with planned congresses and a national convention could have implications for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.