Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has escalated its battle against a factional leader, Nafiu Bala Gombe, demanding his investigation and prosecution after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dismissed his claim that he had accessed the commission's nomination portal and uploaded candidates for the 2027 general elections. The party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the issue had moved beyond political disagreement and now bordered on an alleged criminal attempt to deceive the public and undermine the integrity of Nigeria's electoral system.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, the ADC said it welcomed INEC's prompt clarification that the document circulated by Gombe purporting to show he had obtained the commission's access code and uploaded candidates was forged and that the claim was entirely false. "The African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomes the prompt clarification by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which unequivocally confirmed that the document circulated by Mr Nafiu Bala purporting to show that he had obtained the Commission's access code and uploaded candidates on behalf of the ADC for the 2027 general election was forged, and that the claim itself was entirely false," the party said.
The ADC argued that falsely claiming access to INEC's restricted nomination portal was a grave matter that should attract the attention of security agencies. "To publicly claim that one has gained access to INEC's restricted nomination platform and exercised powers reserved for duly recognised party officials is a grave matter that deserves the immediate attention of law enforcement agencies," the statement read. The party further called on INEC to ensure that Gombe and anyone else involved in originating or promoting the falsehood are investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law. "The issue before us is no longer simply about the continuous false statements that have been issued by Nafiu Bala Gombe at the behest of his sponsors. It is about the clear and unmistakable attempt to mislead the Nigerian public," the party added.
The latest development is the newest twist in the prolonged leadership crisis rocking the ADC, which has pitted the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee against the rival faction headed by Gombe. The dispute has triggered multiple court cases, protests and disagreements over the party's legitimate leadership ahead of preparations for the 2027 general election. The ADC leadership has consistently maintained that INEC only recognises the Mark-led leadership and that only that leadership has access to the commission's nomination portal.
INEC had earlier denied claims that it granted Gombe or his associates access to its nomination portal, insisting that only the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC is recognised by the electoral body. A senior INEC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told PUNCH Online that the commission did not issue any access code to Gombe, stressing that only the David Mark-led leadership is authorised to access the nomination portal. The commission further said Gombe lacked the legal standing to submit candidates' names because INEC did not recognise him as the ADC national chairman.
The ADC insisted that only the candidates produced through the Mark-led leadership are valid under Nigerian law. The party said it has already concluded its nomination process and that the names of its presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, have 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 party stated.
The ADC also challenged Gombe to produce evidence of his purported upload, questioning how a group not recognised by law or the electoral body could have accessed the commission's restricted portal. "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 party said.
The ADC further warned that if individuals could falsely claim access to INEC's secured systems, generate widespread public anxiety and simply move on after such claims had been disproved, a dangerous precedent would be established. "Others may be tempted to deploy similar falsehoods in the future to create confusion, inflame political passions or undermine confidence in the electoral process. The public is watching," the statement said. The party reaffirmed its commitment to democratic politics, respect for institutions and the peaceful conduct of political competition, expressing confidence that the relevant authorities would act decisively to ensure that deliberate falsehoods of this nature do not become an accepted feature of Nigeria's democratic life.
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