ADC youths, the youth wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have insisted that the leadership produced at its July 2025 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting remains the party’s only legitimate authority, dismissing any attempts to alter it without a final court ruling.
ENigeria Newspaper gathered this while Balarabe Rufa’i, the ADC youths national leader, addressed journalists on Monday at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja and reaffirmed that the outcome of the July 29, 2025 NEC meeting, which dissolved the National Working Committee and produced a new leadership led by David Mark, still stands. He stressed that any move to overturn it outside judicial pronouncement would be “illegal, null, and void.”
“Today, that decay is no longer hidden. It is active, deliberate, and dangerous. On July 29, 2025, the African Democratic Congress held a lawful NEC meeting under the full supervision of INEC. That meeting dissolved the previous National Working Committee and produced a new leadership led by Senator David Mark. INEC received the outcome, verified the process, and officially uploaded and recognised this leadership on September 9, 2025. There was no dispute, no objection, and no ambiguity. So, what changed? Power, pressure, and political interference”, he said.
The development comes days after INEC withdrew recognition of an ADC leadership faction over an ongoing court dispute. The commission’s chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, had warned that proceeding with planned congresses and conventions could have implications for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Rufa’i accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of undermining democracy and acting beyond its constitutional powers, alleging that the commission ignored earlier recognition of the leadership in September 2025.
He explained that the current crisis began when “individuals who had already resigned resurfaced to challenge a process they had no legal standing in,” adding that despite a Court of Appeal directive to maintain the last uncontested position, INEC allegedly acted on pending motions and non-binding communications.
Describing the situation as a threat to democratic order, Rufa’i said Nigeria is “under democratic siege,” claiming that institutions meant to protect the will of the people were being compromised. He further criticised INEC for what he called “complicity, partisanship, and institutional sabotage,” insisting the commission lacks the authority to interpret court rulings.
The ADC youths also issued a 72-hour ultimatum to INEC, demanding the immediate restoration of the David Mark-led leadership on the commission’s official portal, alongside a public apology and a commitment to neutrality and the rule of law.
“We hereby issue a 3- day ultimatum to INEC to immediately restore the Senator David Mark-led leadership on its official portal. Publicly apologize to Nigerians for its unconstitutional and partisan conduct. Cease all actions based on letters, pending motions, or non-binding processes without express court orders.
“Respect and uphold the rule of law by refraining from interpreting court directives. Ensure full neutrality and independence in all its operations going forward.
“We also demand the immediate resignation or removal of the INEC Chairman for presiding over actions that have undermined the credibility of the Commission.”
Rufa’i, on behalf of the ADC youths, also 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. He also appealed to the military to remain neutral, noting that the issue is strictly civil and constitutional.
“We respectfully call on the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional oversight immediately, investigate this grave breach, and initiate appropriate actions, including the recall or removal of the INEC Chairman, because time is of the essence. Democracy must be defended with action, not silence.
“We urge the judiciary to clarify its orders to prevent manipulation, reassert its authority as the sole interpreter of the law, and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s legal system”, Rufai added.
The ADC youths further warned the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against actions that could weaken opposition parties, stating that such moves could endanger Nigeria’s democracy.
He cautioned that failure by INEC to comply with the demands within the stipulated timeframe would lead to nationwide protests, including the occupation of INEC offices across the 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,” Rufa’i affirmed.
