The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed as “blatant lies” reports that the Nafiu Bala Gombe faction uploaded names of a presidential candidate and other nominees to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) nomination portal. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, issued a statement clarifying that INEC does not grant nomination portal access or codes to leadership structures it does not officially recognize. He emphasized that the Commission’s system prevents multiple codes from being issued to the same political party, making the alleged upload impossible under current electoral procedures.
Abdullahi challenged the Nafiu-Gombe group to produce verifiable evidence of the purported upload, asserting that without such proof, the claims are baseless. He expressed confidence that INEC would investigate the matter thoroughly and take corrective action to address what he described as a “blatant misrepresentation” of facts. The ADC official stressed that allowing unauthorized groups to upload candidate names would undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process and open the door to widespread fraud.
According to the ADC, the claim that the Nafiu-Gombe faction has accessed the nomination portal is not only false but also technically implausible. INEC’s nomination portal is tightly controlled, and access is granted only to recognized party leadership. The party’s statement noted that the Commission’s rules are designed to prevent impostors from falsely claiming to represent political parties. Without official recognition, no group can legally obtain a nomination code or upload candidate names.
The ADC also raised concerns about the possible forgery and unauthorized use of documents supposedly issued by INEC. The party warned that such actions could create confusion among the public and damage trust in the electoral body’s credibility. They called on INEC to take immediate steps to verify the authenticity of any documents linked to the Nafiu-Gombe group and to ensure that only legitimate party leadership is allowed to participate in the nomination process.
The statement concluded with a strong appeal to the media and the public to remain vigilant and not be misled by unverified reports. The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to upholding electoral integrity and urged all stakeholders to rely on official communications from INEC and recognized party leadership. As Nigeria prepares for upcoming elections, the ADC’s response underscores the importance of accurate information and adherence to electoral protocols.
This development highlights the growing tensions within political parties as nomination processes unfold, and it underscores the need for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral landscape.
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