ADC Youths Give INEC 3-Day Deadline to Recognise Mark-Led Leadership or Face Action

The youth wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the immediate recognition of the party’s leadership led by David Mark.

The group gave the electoral body a strict three-day deadline, threatening nationwide action if their demands are ignored.

The ultimatum was announced on Monday during a press briefing held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. The youths said INEC must reverse its recent decision and restore the leadership structure that emerged from the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in July 2025.

The development follows INEC’s announcement on Wednesday that it would no longer recognise the factions of the ADC led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala. The commission said its decision came after reviewing a judgment of the Court of Appeal.

Reacting to this, the ADC National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufa’i, described INEC’s action as a direct attack on the party’s internal democracy. He insisted that the NEC meeting of July 29, 2025, was validly conducted and produced a new National Working Committee headed by David Mark.

Rufa’i explained that officials of INEC monitored the meeting and initially accepted its outcome. He added that the commission went further to upload the names of the new leadership on its official portal on September 9, 2025.
“There was no dispute. No objection. No ambiguity. So what changed? Power, pressure, and political interference,” he said.

He accused INEC of abandoning due process by taking steps based on its own interpretation of a court ruling concerning the party’s leadership crisis.

“Let it be stated unequivocally: INEC has no constitutional authority to interpret court orders,” he said.

“That duty belongs strictly to the courts. What INEC has done is not neutrality. It is complicity, partisanship, and institutional sabotage.”
Rufa’i further questioned the legality of INEC’s actions, especially its reliance on letters and pending court motions.

“On what legal basis did INEC act on letters and an ex parte motion that has neither been heard nor determined by a court of competent jurisdiction?” he asked.

“Why did INEC act on pending motions, rely on letters instead of binding court orders, and assume the powers of the judiciary? This is not a mistake, but a violation of the constitution.”

The ADC youths also called on the National Assembly to step into the matter. They urged lawmakers to investigate the actions of the electoral body and exercise their oversight powers where necessary.

Rufa’i said the lawmakers should not rule out constitutional measures, including the recall or removal of the INEC chairman, if found wanting.
He also appealed to the judiciary to clearly define its orders to avoid confusion and possible manipulation by institutions.

In addition, the group urged the Armed Forces to remain professional and avoid involvement in political matters.

“We commend the Armed Forces for defending Nigeria. However, we state clearly that the military must remain neutral and stay away from civic democratic actions. This is a civil and constitutional matter,” he said.

The youth wing maintained that the leadership inaugurated after the July 29 NEC meeting remains the only legitimate structure of the party.

According to Rufa’i, any attempt to change that leadership without a final court decision is unlawful.

He said their demands include the immediate restoration of the Mark-led leadership on INEC’s portal, a public apology from the commission, and an end to decisions based on letters or unresolved legal motions.

Rufa’i also repeated the call for the resignation or removal of the INEC chairman, stressing that accountability must be enforced.

He warned that failure to act within the given timeframe would trigger mass mobilisation across the country.

“If INEC fails to comply within 72 hours, we will initiate nationwide, peaceful, and lawful civic action across all 36 states and the FCT,” he said.

“ADC youths and concerned Nigerians, including civil society organisations, will lawfully occupy INEC offices nationwide and sustain civic resistance until full restoration of democratic order.”

He concluded with a warning against actions that could weaken opposition voices in the country, noting that Nigeria’s democracy must not be reduced to a one-party system.

“Restore democracy or face the resolve of the Nigerian people,” he added.