African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed reports claiming that a group allegedly led by Mr. Nafiu Bala Gombe uploaded the names of a presidential candidate and other nominees to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal, describing the claim as false and misleading.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abdullahi Bolaji, the ADC said the reports were fabricated and urged the media and the public to disregard them.
According to the party, the claim does not align with INEC’s established nomination procedures, insisting that only a recognised party leadership can gain access to the commission’s nomination portal.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) wishes to draw the attention of the media and the general public to false reports claiming that a group led by Mr. Nafiu Bala Gombe has uploaded the names of a presidential candidate and other nominees to the INEC nomination portal. The claim is a blatant lie. And it is quite easy to verify why,” the statement said.
The party explained that INEC does not provide nomination portal access or nomination codes to any leadership it does not officially recognise.
“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 ADC challenged those behind the reports to provide proof of the alleged nomination.
“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?” the statement added.
The opposition party also called the attention of INEC to what it described as the possible forgery and unauthorised use of documents purportedly issued by the electoral commission.
It warned that such actions could create unnecessary confusion and erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“We are also, by this statement, formally drawing the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 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.”
The ADC maintained that the reports were unfounded and expressed confidence that INEC would take appropriate action to clarify the situation and protect the credibility of its nomination process.
