By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The youth wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reverse its position on the derecognition of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary respectively.
The ultimatum was issued by the National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufa’i, while addressing a press conference on Monday, April 6, in Abuja.
Rufa’i also accused INEC of undermining democratic processes and warned that failure to accede to its demand would lead to coordinated peaceful protests and civic mobilisation across the country.
He added that INEC lacks constitutional authority to interpret court orders, stressing that such responsibility rests solely with the courts.
He further noted that INEC’s action threatens the nation’s democracy and could truncate its years of civil rule.
He said: “Nigeria is under democratic siege. What should have been a steady consolidation of 27 uninterrupted years of civil rule since 1999 is now being deliberately undermined by those entrusted to protect it. Institutions meant to defend the will of the people are now being compromised, weakened, and weaponised against democracy itself.”
Rufa’i further called on the National Assembly to investigate the actions, while urging the judiciary to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s legal system by intervening in the matter.
He added, “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.”
Rufa’i stressed that the David Mark-led leadership remains the only legitimate leadership of the party, warning that any attempt to change it without a final court judgment is illegal, null, void, and unacceptable.
Recall that INEC had, on April 1, announced the delisting of prominent members of the ADC, including David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, from its records.
INEC, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the decision complied with a court order directing it to maintain the status quo pending the final judgement of the trial court.
