INEC denies granting Nafiu Bala portal access, affirms David Mark-led ADC leadership

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied claims that it granted Nafiu Gombe or members of his faction access to its candidate nomination portal, insisting that only the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is recognised by the commission.

A senior INEC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, dismissed allegations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s Media Office that the electoral body issued access codes to Gombe’s faction to upload candidates for the 2027 general election.

According to the official, INEC operates strictly within the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act and its established guidelines.

“INEC did not give access codes to Nafiu Gombe as claimed by Atiku’s Media Office. INEC operates based on the legal framework guiding elections and the electoral system in Nigeria,” the official said.

The official maintained that the commission’s records recognise only the ADC leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark.

“Based on our records, the recognised leadership of the ADC is the Senator David Mark-led leadership. If you check our portal, Senator David Mark is listed as the party’s National Chairman, while Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is the National Secretary,” the official added.

INEC further stressed that Gombe was never granted access to its nomination portal and therefore had no authority to upload candidates’ names.

“According to our records, INEC did not give Nafiu Gombe access codes. He is not the officially recognised National Chairman of the ADC, so he cannot upload candidates to the commission’s portal. INEC does not recognise any submission from Nafiu Gombe,” the official stated.

Reacting to allegations that INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, was working to weaken opposition parties, the official described the claims as unfounded.

“The allegation that the INEC Chairman is trying to weaken opposition parties is baseless. Attempts to drag him into the internal affairs of political parties are an exercise in futility,” the official said.

The clarification follows allegations by Atiku Abubakar’s Media Office that INEC unlawfully granted a rival ADC faction access to its nomination portal despite recognising the David Mark-led National Executive Committee.

The ADC had also dismissed claims by Gombe’s faction that it uploaded candidates to the commission’s portal, insisting that only the recognised leadership completed the nomination process in line with the Electoral Act while calling on INEC to investigate the alleged forgery and unauthorised use of documents purportedly issued by the commission.

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