Mark-led ADC petitions INEC over rival faction’s nomination claim

The African Democratic Congress has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to investigate what it described as the alleged forgery and unauthorised use of documents purportedly issued by the electoral body, following claims by a faction that it had uploaded the names of the party’s presidential candidate and other nominees to the commission’s nomination portal.

The Nafiu Bala Gombe faction of the party had reported on Sunday night that it had successfully uploaded the names of its candidates on the INEC portal.

The faction also displayed pictures depicting the completed exercise with the INEC symbol and logo.

The David Mark-led faction, however, dismissed the claim by the Bala Gombe group as false, insisting that only the leadership recognised by INEC has access to the commission’s nomination portal and has concluded the nomination process in accordance with the Electoral Act.

In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the reports were aimed at creating confusion and misleading the public.

The party argued that INEC could not issue nomination portal access or nomination codes to a leadership it does not recognise, maintaining that there was no basis for the rival group’s claim.

“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 said.

The ADC challenged the rival group to provide evidence that it had successfully accessed the commission’s portal.

“The question, therefore, is straightforward: where is the evidence of this purported upload by a group of individuals not known by law or the electoral body?” it asked.

The party also urged INEC to investigate what it described as the apparent forgery and unauthorised use of documents purportedly originating from the commission, warning that such actions could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

“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,” it added.

Reaffirming the party’s position, the ADC insisted it was not divided and dismissed suggestions of a leadership dispute.

According to the statement, INEC had recognised only one leadership of the party and granted it access to the nomination portal through which it completed the nomination of its candidates.

The party further maintained 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 uploaded to the INEC portal.

The ADC accused unnamed individuals of attempting to distract the party ahead of the 2027 general election but said it would remain focused on its campaign.

“As the election approaches, there will be repeated attempts to distract the party and mislead the public.

“We will not be distracted. 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 statement further read.

The party 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 comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general election, as political parties intensify preparations for the polls.

Under Nigeria’s electoral framework, political parties are required to submit the names and particulars of their candidates through INEC’s designated nomination portal within timelines prescribed by the Electoral Act and the commission’s regulations.

For the National Assembly and presidential candidates upload, the electoral commission gave a Saturday, July 11, 2026, deadline.

Bowing to pressure, the commission, on Sunday morning, shifted the deadline to Tuesday, July 14.