Isaac Samuel
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected claims by a group led by Nafiu Bala Gombe that it uploaded the names of a presidential candidate and other nominees to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal, describing the assertion as false and misleading.
The party also called on INEC to investigate what it described as the apparent forgery and unauthorised use of documents purportedly issued by the electoral body in connection with the claim.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC maintained that only the leadership recognised by INEC has access to the commission’s nomination portal and nomination codes.
According to the party, the claim that a rival group uploaded candidates’ names to the portal was “a blatant lie” and inconsistent with INEC’s established procedures.
“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,” the statement said.
The ADC questioned the basis of the claim, asking the group to provide evidence that it had successfully accessed and used the nomination portal.
The party alleged that documents being circulated in support of the claim appeared to have been forged or used without authorisation and urged INEC to take steps to safeguard its integrity.
“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,” the statement added.
ADC insisted that it is not factionalised and that INEC has issued nomination portal access only to the leadership it recognises.
The party said the recognised leadership had already concluded its nomination process in line with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
Reaffirming its position on the 2027 presidential election, the ADC stated that the details of its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and vice-presidential candidate, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, had already been 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 said.
The ADC urged its members, supporters and the public to disregard what it described as attempts to create confusion ahead of the 2027 general election and rely only on official communications issued through authorised party channels.
It reiterated its commitment to presenting what it called a credible alternative to Nigerians in the next election cycle, with a focus on addressing insecurity, the high cost of living, unemployment and economic challenges.
The controversy stems from the leadership dispute that emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the party’s adoption by a coalition of opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general election.
The coalition, which includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and other opposition figures, took control of the party’s structures after a series of negotiations with the ADC leadership.
The development was followed by the emergence of a new national leadership, with former Senate President David Mark playing a prominent role in the coalition-backed structure.
However, the move was opposed by a faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who has continued to challenge the legitimacy of the coalition-backed leadership and has insisted that he remains the authentic national chairman of the party.
The dispute has since triggered a series of claims and counterclaims over control of the party and its nomination process.
The latest disagreement followed reports that the Bala-led group had uploaded the names of its own presidential candidate and other nominees to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal.
