…as CSOs, youth wing threaten to occupy INEC’s offices
From David Onuoja, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), has threatened the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), by given it a 72-hours ultimatum to restore the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC), on its portal or face the consequences even as the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and ADC youth wing vowed to occupy all INEC’s offices nationwide.
The ADC National Youth leader, Balarabe Rufa’i, at a press briefing in Abuja, yesterday, said if the electoral umpire fails to comply with its demand, youths and concerned Nigerians will occupy INEC offices nationwide.
Senator David Mark, a former Senate President, took over the leadership of the ADC after the resignation of Ralph Nwosu and other NWC members, following the adoption of the party by key opposition politicians as the coalition platform for the 2027 polls.
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However, former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, has been laying claim to the leadership of the opposition party, since the resignation of the pioneer national chairman.
Last week, INEC withdrew the recognition of the Mark-led NWC and delisted the ADC leadership from its portal, citing a Court of Appeal order, directing parties in a suit on the leadership of the opposition party to maintain status quo ante bellum.
Rufa’i, who reiterated the demand of the party for the immediate resignation of the INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, demanded that the Commission apologise publicly to Nigerians for its unconstitutional and partisan conduct.
The youth leader also demanded that the INEC respect and uphold the rule of law by refraining from interpreting court directives and ensure full neutrality and independence in all its operations going forward.
“If INEC fails to comply within 72 hours, We will initiate nationwide, peaceful and lawful civic action across all 36 states and the FCT. ADC youths and concerned Nigerians including civil society organisations will lawfully occupy INEC offices nationwide, sustain civic resistance until full restoration of democratic order.”
The ADC youth leader, while stating that INEC’s action was partisan, implored 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.”
He explained that the Mark-led NWC took over the affairs of the ADC, after the July 29, 2025 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, dissolved the former NWC.
According to him, “INEC received the outcome, verified the process, officially uploaded and recognized this leadership on September 9, 2025. There was: No dispute. No objection. No ambiguity. So, what changed? Power, Pressure and Political interference.
“Months later, individuals who had already resigned, resurfaced to challenge a process they had no legal standing in.
While the matter remains before the courts, the Court of Appeal ordered, Maintain status quo ante bellum, the last uncontested position. That position is clear, The leadership under Senator David Mark.
“Yet INEC chose to ignore established facts, disregard due process and unlawfully interpret a court order.
“Let it be stated unequivocally: INEC has no constitutional authority to interpret court orders.That duty belongs strictly to the courts.What INEC has done is not neutrality. It is complicity, partisanship and institutional sabotage.”
The leader of the coalition of CSOs, Ibrahim Wala, who also spoke at the briefing, said some forces were allegedly using the INEC against the opposition in the country.
“The attempt to make Nigeria a one party will not stand. It will be rejected by the people, and it’s earlier these anti-democratic forces know this,” he said.
