Nigeria’s opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the arrest and prosecution of a factional leader, Nafiu Gombe, after the electoral body dismissed his claims of accessing its candidate nomination portal.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued a clarification on Tuesday, confirming it had not granted Mr. Gombe access codes to its restricted candidate-uploading system for the 2027 general election.
INEC reiterated that it only recognises the ADC’s National Executive Committee led by David Mark.
The dispute is the latest turn in a bitter, long-running leadership battle within the ADC, which has pitted the Mark-led faction against a rival group headed by Mr Gombe. The power struggle has already triggered numerous court cases and protests as the party prepares for next year’s polls.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, welcomed INEC’s prompt intervention, accusing Mr Gombe of forging documents and attempting to deceive the public.
“To publicly claim that one has gained access to INEC’s restricted nomination platform and exercised powers reserved for duly recognised party officials is a grave matter,” the statement read.
The party urged the electoral commission and law enforcement agencies to “take all necessary steps to ensure that Mr Nafiu Bala [Gombe] and anyone else involved in originating or promoting this falsehood are investigated and prosecuted.”
The row intensified earlier this week after the media office of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar accused INEC of secretly granting the factional leader access to the portal—an allegation the electoral umpire has strongly denied.
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