ADC: Youths Threaten Protest, Give INEC 72-Hour Ultimatum To Recognise Mark-Led Leadership

The youth wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a three-day ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to restore the party’s leadership recognised after its July 2025 NEC meeting.

The ultimatum was issued on Monday during a press conference at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

On Wednesday, INEC announced that it would no longer recognise the factions of the ADC led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala after reviewing a court of appeal judgement.

Balarabe Rufa’i, national youth leader of the ADC, said the directive by INEC undermines the party’s internal processes and democratic norms.

Rufa’i said the ADC held a national executive committee (NEC) meeting on July 29, 2025, which produced a new national working committee led by David Mark.

According to him, the meeting was monitored by INEC officials, and the outcome was later recognised by the commission.

He said the commission subsequently uploaded the new leadership on its portal on September 9, 2025.

“There was no dispute. No objection. No ambiguity. So what changed? Power, pressure, and political interference,” he said.

Rufa’i alleged that INEC later disregarded due process by interpreting a court order regarding the party’s leadership dispute.

“Let it be stated unequivocally: INEC has no constitutional authority to interpret court orders,” he said.

“That duty belongs strictly to the courts. What INEC has done is not neutrality. It is complicity, partisanship, and institutional sabotage.”

The youth leader questioned the basis on which the commission acted on letters and pending court motions.

“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?” he asked.

“Why did INEC act on pending motions, rely on letters instead of binding court orders, and assume the powers of the judiciary? This is not a mistake, but a violation of the constitution.”

The group also asked the national assembly to investigate the actions of the electoral commission.

Rufa’i said lawmakers should exercise their constitutional oversight powers and consider appropriate measures, including the recall or removal of the INEC chairman.

He also called on the judiciary to clarify its orders in order to prevent misinterpretation and manipulation.

The ADC youth wing urged the armed forces to remain neutral in matters concerning democratic participation.

“We commend the Armed Forces for defending Nigeria. However, we state clearly that the military must remain neutral and stay away from civic democratic actions. This is a civil and constitutional matter,” he said.

The group insisted that the leadership inaugurated at the July 29 NEC meeting remains the legitimate leadership of the party.

According to Rufa’i, any attempt to alter the leadership without a final court judgment is illegal.

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He said the youth wing is demanding that INEC restore the Mark-led leadership on its official portal.

The group also asked the commission to apologise to Nigerians and stop taking actions based on letters or pending motions without court orders.

Rufa’i said the youth wing is also demanding the resignation or removal of the INEC chairman.

Youths Threaten Protest

He warned that the group would mobilise nationwide civic action if the commission failed to comply with the ultimatum.

“If INEC fails to comply within 72 hours, we will initiate nationwide, peaceful, and lawful civic action across all 36 states and the FCT,” he said.

“ADC youths and concerned Nigerians, including civil society organisations, will lawfully occupy INEC offices nationwide and sustain civic resistance until full restoration of democratic order.”

Rufa’i also cautioned against attempts to weaken opposition parties, adding that Nigeria must not be turned into a one-party state.

“Restore democracy or face the resolve of the Nigerian people,” he added.

Obi Question Tinubu’s Empty Promise After Bandits Attacked Jos Again

“How can a president make such a categorical promise and, mere hours later, the nation continues to count the dead across multiple states?” said Mr

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi says President Bola Tinubu’s promise to protect the people of Plateau has failed following the latest deadly attack on the Nyamgo Gyel community in Jos South local council.

In a statement on Monday, the former Anambra governor said, “Less than 24 hours after President Tinubu stood at the Jos Plateau State airport on April 2, 2026, and promised the grieving Nigerian citizens, ‘I promise you that this experience will not repeat itself’, another brutal attack occurred in Nyamgo Gyel, Jos South LGA, resulting in the deaths of several innocent citizens.

“Since then, and only a week following that reassuring promise from the president, Nasarawa state has been plunged into grief as the Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities fled for their lives after gunmen killed at least 11 people. Many homes were reduced to ashes, and numerous families remain missing.”

He noted that in Zamfara, 150 people were abducted from the Kurfa Danya and Kurfan Magaji communities, adding that on the same day of the Zamfara kidnappings, terrorists in Borno State stormed Chibok, killing four officers and burning down houses.

“Yesterday, on Easter Sunday, Benue state was rocked by violence again, with over 17 Nigerians massacred, entire communities left in ruins, and many individuals still unaccounted for. Today, in Kaduna state, several innocent citizens were killed by terrorists inside churches, with many others abducted in the Ariko community of Kachia LGA.

“Yet we were told, ‘This experience will not repeat itself’. This represents a failure of leadership and responsibility, and sadly, Nigerians are paying for it with their lives,” Mr Obi said.

According to Mr Obi, the attackers are not ghosts, adding that they were, however, emboldened by the authorities’ inaction.

“How can a president make such a categorical promise and, mere hours later, the nation continues to count the dead across multiple states? The primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property; however, this responsibility is failing today.

Peter Obi, Tinubu

“Nigerians are being slaughtered in their homes, in their communities, and in the very places they should feel safest. Even the President did not enter these communities, so who is truly safe in Nigeria? This is a national emergency. Nigeria is bleeding, and the situation is worsening and increasingly helpless,” Mr Obi noted.

Mr Tinubu visited Jos last Thursday, where he confined himself to the Yakubu Gowon Airport during his condolence visit to relatives and victims of a violent attack on the Gari Ya Waye community of Angwan Rukuba, in Jos North. During his speech, the president promised residents that there’d be no repeat of such incident in the state.

CAS Boost Frontline Morale During Easter Luncheon, Reinforces Operational Resolve In Katsina

Operational resolve. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on 5 April 2026, reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) strong commitment to personnel welfare, operational excellence and mission success as he celebrated Easter with frontline troops deployed under Operation FANSAN YAMMA Sector 2 in Katsina State.

Represented by the Chief of Training, Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal AY Dari, the CAS praised the bravery, resilience and sacrifices of officers, airmen and airwomen engaged in ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-West. He noted that their professionalism and dedication continue to deliver tangible operational gains in the fight against terrorism and banditry, contributing significantly to the restoration of peace in the region.

He further highlighted the critical role of inter-agency collaboration in ongoing operations, while also appreciating host communities for their continued support and provision of timely intelligence that has enhanced operational outcomes. Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Idris, commended the CAS for his people-centred leadership approach, noting that the Easter Luncheon reflects a deliberate effort to boost troop morale and foster unity among personnel operating in demanding environments. He reiterated the Command’s resolve to sustain the current operational momentum and deepen cooperation with sister services and other security agencies.

NAF

Also speaking, the Joint Task Force Air Component Commander, Operation FANSAN YAMMA Sector 2, who also serves as Commander of the 213 Forward Operating Base Katsina, Air Commodore CE Illoh, expressed appreciation for the CAS’ consistent support to frontline personnel. He stated that the visit has further strengthened the fighting spirit of troops and reinforced their determination to decisively degrade criminal elements threatening peace in the region.

Beyond the celebration, the Easter gathering provided a moment of reflection, unity and renewed resolve, as personnel reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and ensuring lasting peace across the country.