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.

The Maestro Of Publicity Steering The Federal Ministry Of Works To Greater Heights: MA Ahmed

Maestro of Publicity. In the field of public relations and strategic communication within government institutions, few figures have demonstrated as much dedication and professionalism as Mohammed Abdullahi Ahmed (MA Ahmed), the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Works.

Widely regarded as a prolific image maker, MA Ahmed has played a vital role in projecting the ministry’s activities and achievements to the Nigerian public, particularly during the tenure of the Honourable Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi.

Through his strategic coordination of media engagements, press briefings, and public information campaigns, Ahmed has helped ensure that the policies, programmes, and projects of the ministry are clearly communicated and widely understood.

His work has been especially significant in highlighting the ambitious infrastructure agenda being pursued under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. With the President’s support, the ministry has embarked on numerous large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at improving transportation networks and strengthening national economic development.

Ahmed’s dedication is evident in the meticulous manner in which he manages the ministry’s publicity machinery. By maintaining strong relationships with the media and ensuring timely dissemination of accurate information, he has helped the ministry sustain public confidence and awareness regarding ongoing projects and policy directions.

His leadership style is marked by discipline, clarity, and respect for colleagues, qualities that have earned him admiration within professional and administrative circles.

Under his watch, the ministry’s communication strategy has effectively showcased several milestones in the country’s infrastructure drive. These include major road construction and rehabilitation projects that have significantly improved connectivity across Nigeria, as well as initiatives designed to enhance public safety and facilitate economic activities nationwide.

Through consistent and strategic messaging, Ahmed has ensured that these achievements receive the recognition they deserve.

Works Ministry

As the Federal Ministry of Works continues to implement transformative infrastructure programmes, MA Ahmed remains committed to telling the story of Nigeria’s progress. His work stands as a powerful reminder that effective communication is not merely about publicity, but about building public trust, promoting transparency, and supporting national development.

With his exemplary work ethic, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to public service, Mohammed Abdullahi Ahmed has become a role model for aspiring public relations practitioners.

As he continues to steer the ministry’s publicity efforts, his contributions will undoubtedly leave a lasting imprint on the communication landscape of Nigeria’s public sector.