Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed claims by a rival faction led by Malam Nafiu Bala Gombe that it successfully uploaded the names of a presidential candidate and other nominees to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal, describing the assertion as false, legally impossible, and a deliberate attempt to create confusion ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party has formally called on INEC to investigate what it described as the alleged forgery and unauthorised use of documents purportedly issued by the electoral body.
In a statement issued on Monday, 13 July 2026, by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC argued that INEC does not grant nomination portal access or issue nomination codes to individuals or factions it does not officially recognise. The party questioned the basis of the rival group's claim, asking: "Where is the evidence of this purported upload by a group of individuals not known by law or the electoral body?" According to the ADC, the commission cannot issue multiple nomination codes to different groups within the same political party, as doing so would compromise the integrity of the candidate nomination process. "INEC does not issue nomination portal access or nomination codes to a leadership it does not recognise. Secondly, the Commission will not issue two codes to the same party. Otherwise, every impostor would simply upload names to the portal and proclaim themselves the authentic leadership of a political party. That is plainly not how the law or the Commission's processes work," the statement read.
The ADC also formally drew INEC's attention to what it described as the apparent forgery and unauthorised use of documents purportedly emanating from the commission. "We are formally drawing the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission to what appears to be the forgery and unauthorised use of documents purportedly emanating from the Commission in a manner capable of creating confusion and undermining public confidence in its integrity and reputation as Nigeria's electoral umpire. We trust that the Commission will investigate this matter and take the necessary steps to correct this blatant misrepresentation," the party stated.
The ADC maintained that there is no leadership crisis within its ranks and that only the recognised leadership, which has already completed the nomination process in line with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, has access to the commission's nomination portal. The party reiterated that the details of its presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and vice-presidential candidate, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, had already been successfully uploaded to the INEC portal. "As we informed the public last week, the details of our Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON, and our Vice-Presidential Candidate, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, CON, have been uploaded on the INEC portal. Those are the facts," the statement added.
The party accused unnamed individuals of attempting to distract it and mislead the public as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify but insisted it would remain focused on its campaign. "Our focus remains firmly on presenting Nigerians with a credible alternative that can restore security, tackle the rising cost of living, revive the economy, create jobs, and return the country to the path of progress in 2027," the party said. It urged its members, supporters, the media and the general public to disregard what it described as misleading claims and rely only on official communications issued through its authorised channels.
The latest development is the newest twist in the leadership dispute within the ADC, as rival factions continue to lay claim to the party's structure ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections. The ADC's decision to petition INEC reflects the party's determination to defend its integrity and prevent unauthorised actors from undermining its electoral fortunes. As the electoral body considers the party's request, the dispute highlights the broader challenges facing political parties in Nigeria, where leadership tussles and factional battles have become a recurring feature of the country's political landscape.
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