The Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the restoration of the party’s 2025-recognised leadership or face nationwide protests.

The group warned that failure to comply would trigger peaceful civic action across the country, including plans to occupy INEC offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Its demands include the immediate reinstatement of the Senator David Mark-led leadership on INEC’s official portal, a public apology from the commission, and assurances of neutrality in line with the rule of law.

Speaking on Monday at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, ADC National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufa’i, accused INEC of undermining democratic institutions.

“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,” he said.

Rufa’i said that the party’s July 29, 2025, National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which produced a new leadership, was conducted under INEC’s supervision and later recognised by the commission.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged to support whoever emerges as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election.

Atiku gave the assurance in an interview with DW Hausa radio shared on Saturday.

Atiku said that all the aspirants would rally behind the eventual ADC flag-bearer.

“We will support and endorse whoever emerges as the flag bearer. How many are we, three or four? In the PDP, more than ten of us contested,” he said.

He also highlighted what he described as the ADC’s growing appeal among young people, noting that the party has created opportunities for youth and women to participate actively in politics.“The youths have taken over the party.

Most of those seeking elective positions, from councillor to state assembly, national assembly and House of Representatives, are young people.

We have always said our party belongs to the youth and women. Our role is to create the opportunity and hand it over to them,” he stated.

The former vice president dismissed concerns that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could weaken the party following the de-recognition of David Mark-led faction of ADC, insisting that the party continued to gain momentum nationwide.

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has said that the party is determined to resist any plot aimed at imposing a one-party system on the country.

Mark, in a statement by his media office, yesterday, dismissed reports that he has stepped down as national chairman of the ADC, noting that he is not contemplating resignation.

The ADC has been in crisis since last week when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition from the Mark led National Working Committee (NWC) of the opposition party, citing a Court of Appeal verdict.

Former National Vice Chairman of the ADC, Nafiu Gombe, has been laying claims to the leadership of the ADC.

Recently, the Court of Appeal directed parties to the dispute to maintain status quo ante bellum.

Mark, a former Senate president, described reports purporting that he has resigned as national chairman as “an insidious fabrication” orchestrated by “puerile, weak and inconsiderate propagandists.”