The youth wing of the African Democratic Congress has handed the Independent National Electoral Commission a 72 hour ultimatum to reverse what it described as the unlawful derecognition of the party’s leadership warning of imminent nationwide protests if the decision is not rescinded.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday the ADC National Youth Leader Balarabe Rufai accused the electoral body of undermining democratic principles and acting beyond its constitutional mandate by delisting Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.
Rufai warned that failure by the commission to restore the leadership on its official portal within the stipulated period would trigger coordinated peaceful protests and civic mobilisation across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The ultimatum follows INEC’s April 1 announcement removing key figures of the party from its records.
The commission through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information Committee Mohammed Haruna had said the move was in compliance with a court directive ordering the maintenance of status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.
But the ADC youths faulted the interpretation insisting that INEC lacks the constitutional authority to construe court rulings a responsibility they said rests solely with the judiciary.
The party has been enmeshed in a protracted leadership crisis since 2025 after a new National Working Committee led by Mark emerged triggering internal disputes over succession following the expiration of former chairman Ralph Nwosu’s tenure in August 2022.
The crisis deepened amid disagreements within the party hierarchy particularly over claims by the former deputy chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe to assume leadership in an acting capacity leading to multiple litigations at appellate courts.
Despite the legal tussle Mark had at a press briefing last week maintained that party activities including congresses would continue describing INEC’s action as illegal.
Rufai however escalated the rhetoric on Monday alleging that democratic institutions were being weakened through political interference and selective application of the law.
He called on the National Assembly to immediately investigate the commission’s actions and consider appropriate sanctions including the possible removal of its chairman over what he termed a grave constitutional breach.
He also urged the judiciary to urgently clarify its orders to prevent misinterpretation while cautioning the military to remain neutral in what he described as a purely civil and constitutional matter.
The youth leader further demanded that INEC apologise publicly refrain from acting on pending motions or unofficial communications and uphold neutrality in its operations.
He warned that any attempt to alter the party’s leadership structure without a final court pronouncement would be resisted declaring that ADC youths and allied civil society groups were prepared to occupy INEC offices nationwide in sustained protests if their demands were ignored.
This is not just about our party it is about the survival of democracy in Nigeria Rufai said vowing that the group would not be intimidated or silenced