ADC Youths wing threatens to occupy INEC offices nationwide, demands Amupitan’s resignation

The National Youth wing of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has issue a 72-hours ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to recognise Senator David Mark led leadership of the ADC or face a massive protest nationwide.

The ADC Youths wing also demanded immidiate resignation of Prof Joash Amupitan as the Chairman of INEC.

Addressing a press conference Monday in Abuja, in conjunction with a Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, the ADC National Youth Leader, Hon. Balarabe Rufai, said if INEC fails to comply within 72 hours, “We will initiate nationwide, peaceful, and lawful civic action across all 36 states and the FCT.”

According to the Youth leader, 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 (NWC), produced a new leadership led by Senator David Mark.

“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.

“We ask the INEC Chairman directly:
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?
Why did INEC Act on pending motions?
Rely on letters instead of binding court orders?”

Balarabe Rufai called on the National Assembly to exercise their constitutional oversight immediately,” investigate this grave breach, initiate appropriate actions, including the recall or removal of the INEC Chairman because time is of 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, protect the integrity of Nigeria’s legal system.”

While commending the Armed Forces for defending Nigeria, the ADC Youths leader asked the INEC Chairman to” 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.”

Also speaking, leader of the Coalition of CSOs in attendance, Comrade Ibrahim Garba Wala alleged that there were forces using the INEC Chairman against opposition party in Nigeria.

He assured that all efforts to make Nigeria a one party state will be totally rejected.

He said: “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.”