By David Lawani, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied claims by the Nafiu Gombe-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that it successfully uploaded presidential and National Assembly candidates onto the commission’s nomination portal ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The electoral body insisted that the portal access code for candidate nominations was issued solely to the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party, which it said remains the recognised authority for the exercise.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the commission’s records leave no ambiguity as to which faction was granted access to the portal.
“Before the Court of Appeal judgment, we had already issued the code to the Sen. David Mark faction.”
Haruna disclosed that the Mark-led leadership had already utilised the code to upload more than 400 names and particulars of candidates for various national offices, including those of the party’s presidential candidate and running mate for the 2027 elections.
“They had submitted over 400 names and particulars of their candidates for the national-level elections, including the president and his running mate.”
The clarification followed claims by the Gombe faction that it had completed uploading presidential, vice-presidential, and National Assembly candidates to the INEC portal. This development further deepened the leadership crisis rocking the opposition party.
The controversy has assumed greater significance following allegations by the Mark faction that allegedly forged INEC documents were being deployed to support claims of access to the commission’s nomination platform.
Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had earlier accused INEC of compromising its neutrality by allegedly granting portal access to the Gombe faction despite recognising the David Mark-led executive.
INEC’s latest clarification effectively rebuts those allegations and reinforces the commission’s position on the party’s recognised leadership for nomination purposes.
The dispute represents the latest chapter in the prolonged leadership tussle within the ADC since opposition figures adopted the party as a platform for the 2027 presidential election.
