The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has raised concerns over attempts to mobilise civil society organisations (CSOs) for a planned “national protest” against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This was as the coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC), yesterday, raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to deploy state institutions, including INEC, to stifle opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

ADC resolved to occupy the INEC office in a civil protest across Nigeria, should the commission fail to restore David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as leaders of the party within three days.

Also, ADC Youth Network in Gombe State issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the controversial leader of ADC, Nafiu Bala, demanding that he reverse his recent statements and accept his reported resignation from the party.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Executive Director of NCSCN, Blessing Akinlosotu, said the council had received intelligence indicating that certain actors were seeking to enlist CSOs to advance partisan interests under the guise of civic action. It warned that such moves, if allowed to proceed, could undermine the integrity and credibility of the civil society space.

It stressed that CSOs must remain non-partisan and committed to promoting accountability, transparency and good governance, rather than being used as tools for political manipulation.
ADC alleged that INEC was laying “administrative landmines” to prevent it from fielding candidates.

Addressing journalists in Lagos, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the crisis stemmed from INEC’s position that it would no longer receive correspondence from the party pending the determination of a suit before the Federal High Court.

Abdullahi warned that the decision, though seemingly procedural, conflicts with timelines stipulated in the Electoral Act 2026, including the mandatory 21-day notice and submission requirements for party processes.

He said, “What INEC is doing creates a direct and dangerous conflict with clear statutory timelines. By refusing to receive our correspondence, the commission is effectively blocking compliance with the law.”

The party insisted that documentary evidence, including certified INEC records, monitoring reports and court filings, showed that the commission had recognised its leadership.

According to him, INEC monitored the ADC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of July 29, 2025, documented proceedings, and subsequently updated its records to reflect the emergence of Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.

“These are not claims but facts contained in INEC’s own records,” he said, adding that the commission’s sworn affidavit before the Federal High Court also affirmed the leadership transition and acknowledged that such internal party matters were beyond judicial interference.

He, however, described INEC’s present stance as contradictory and dangerous.
LAST week, INEC commenced derecognition of Mark and Aregbesola, signalling a leadership vacuum in the leadership of the opposition party.

National Youth Leader of the ADC, Balarabe Rufa’i, in a press conference in Abuja yesterday, also demanded a public apology from INEC to Nigerians for alleged unconstitutional and partisan behaviour.

He stated: “INEC must publicly apologise 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, and 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. If INEC fails to comply within 72 hours, we will initiate nationwide, peaceful and lawful civic action across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”

According to him, ADC youths and concerned Nigerians, including CSOs, will lawfully occupy INEC offices nationwide, sustain civic resistance until full restoration of the democratic order.

IN a statement issued yesterday, convener of the ADC youth group in Gombe, Abubakar Galafi, expressed outrage over what he described as an internal “hijack of democracy,” accusing Bala of undermining the party’s unity and credibility.

“Today, we speak with outrage and clear conviction on behalf of the youth and grassroots members of ADC who refuse to be silent while democracy is being hijacked from within,” Galafi said.

He noted that the crisis within the party had escalated beyond an internal disagreement, alleging that Bala’s actions constituted “a deliberate assault on the very democratic values ADC stands for.”

The group further accused Bala of disregarding legal pronouncements and party procedures, claiming he had aligned with forces working against the party’s stability.

Reiterating their position, the group rejected any actions they believe threaten the party’s independence and gave Bala two days to quit the party’s top position.

“We reject any narrative that legitimises actions that threaten the independence of ADC. We reject any alignment that serves personal ambition over party principles,” he said.