The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take legal action against the party’s factional National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, over allegations that he falsely claimed to have uploaded candidates’ names on the commission’s nomination portal. The party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, urged INEC to ensure that Bala is investigated and prosecuted, accusing him of spreading misinformation and attempting to mislead the public.
In a statement issued on the matter, Abdullahi said Bala’s claims amounted to a serious offence that required the attention of relevant authorities.
Bala had earlier claimed that his faction obtained INEC’s access code and successfully uploaded candidates for the 2027 general elections. The claim, which circulated widely on social media, suggested that his faction had completed the nomination process on the commission’s platform.
However, INEC dismissed the allegation, describing it as false. The commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, said Bala was not recognised by INEC as the legitimate national chairman of the ADC.
Reacting to INEC’s clarification, Abdullahi said the party welcomed the commission’s position, insisting that the document circulated by Bala was fraudulent.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomes the prompt clarification by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which unequivocally confirmed that the 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 ADC for the 2027 general election was forged and that the claim itself was entirely false,” Abdullahi stated.
He added that the matter had gone beyond what he described as repeated false statements by Bala, arguing that the development represented an attempt to deceive Nigerians.
“The issue before us is no longer simply about the continuous false statements that have been issued by Nafiu Bala Gombe at the behest of his sponsors. It is about the clear and unmistakeable attempt to mislead the Nigerian public,” he said.
The ADC spokesperson further argued that claiming access to INEC’s restricted nomination platform without authorisation was a serious matter that should attract legal scrutiny.
“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 that deserves the immediate attention of law enforcement agencies,” Abdullahi said.
Calling for further action, he said the party expected INEC to pursue the matter and ensure that those responsible were held accountable.
“As a responsible party, the ADC therefore calls on INEC to take all the necessary steps to ensure that Mr. Nafiu Bala and anyone else involved in originating or promoting this falsehood are investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he added.
