TD The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally welcomed the clarification issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which dismissed as false a 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 party for the 2027 general election.
INEC, through its spokesperson Mohammed Haruna, confirmed that the document — which bore the Commission’s letterhead and purported screenshots — was forged.
Haruna stressed that the Commission only provided nomination portal login details to the recognized leadership of the ADC, led by Senator David Mark.
He insisted that no access was ever granted to Nafiu Bala’s faction.
ADC’s Position
In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described Bala’s claim as a “clear and unmistakeable attempt to mislead the Nigerian public.”
The party condemned the act of publicly asserting one had gained access to INEC’s restricted nomination platform and exercised powers reserved for duly recognized party officials.
It emphasized that it was a grave matter requiring immediate law enforcement attention.
The ADC urged INEC to move against Bala and anyone else involved in originating or promoting the falsehood.
It urged the electoral body to take all necessary steps to ensure they are investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Background to the Dispute
The controversy stems from an ongoing leadership crisis within the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Bala’s faction claimed to have uploaded candidates — including Chris Uba as presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, INEC has consistently recognized only the David Mark-led faction for official processes.
According to INEC, the only valid uploads made on the ADC portal were those of Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate and Rotimi Amaechi as vice-presidential candidate, submitted by the recognized faction.
Implications
The forged document and Bala’s claims have heightened tensions within the party and raised concerns about misinformation in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The ADC insists that the matter goes beyond factional rivalry.
It warned that attempts to mislead the public about INEC’s secure systems could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
Observers note that the incident underscores the importance of vigilance against political forgery and the spread of false claims, particularly in the run-up to the 2027 general election.
INEC’s Assurance and Outlook
INEC reiterated that its nomination portal remains secure and accessible only to duly recognized party officials.
The Commission assured Nigerians that it would continue to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and urged the public to disregard false claims.
With the ADC calling for prosecution and INEC reaffirming its position, the spotlight now shifts to law enforcement agencies to determine whether Bala and his associates will face charges.
The episode highlights the broader challenge of factional disputes within political parties and the risks posed by misinformation in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
