The David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the alleged forgery and unauthorised use of documents purportedly issued by the commission following claims by a rival faction that it had uploaded the party’s candidates to the INEC nomination portal.
In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the Mark-led faction dismissed the claims as false and misleading.
The party maintained that only the leadership recognised by INEC has access to the commission’s nomination portal and had already completed the nomination process in accordance with the Electoral Act.
According to the statement, the rival group’s claims were intended to create confusion and mislead the public.
The development follows claims by the Nafiu Bala Gombe-led faction, which announced on Sunday that it had successfully uploaded the names of its presidential candidate and other nominees to the commission’s Candidate Nomination Portal.
The faction also released photographs purportedly showing the completed exercise bearing the INEC logo and insignia.
“INEC cannot issue two nomination codes”
The ADC argued that INEC could not provide nomination portal access or nomination codes to a 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 statement said.
The party challenged the Bala Gombe faction to produce evidence supporting its claim of accessing the INEC portal.
Calls for investigation
The ADC urged INEC to investigate what it described as the apparent forgery and unauthorised use of documents allegedly originating from the commission.
The party warned that such actions could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“We are formally drawing the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission 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 statement added.
Party insists it has one recognised leadership
Reaffirming its position, the ADC maintained that it was not divided and insisted INEC recognises only one leadership of the party.
The party said it had already uploaded the details of its presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and vice-presidential candidate, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, through the official nomination portal.
It accused unnamed individuals of attempting to distract the party ahead of the 2027 general election but vowed to remain focused on its campaign.
According to the statement, the party remains committed to presenting Nigerians with what it described as a credible alternative capable of addressing insecurity, the rising cost of living, unemployment and economic challenges.
INEC extends submission deadline
The latest development comes amid increased political activity ahead of the 2027 general election.
Under Nigeria’s electoral guidelines, political parties are required to submit the names and particulars of their candidates through INEC’s Candidate Nomination Portal within the timelines prescribed by the Electoral Act.
While the original deadline for the submission of presidential and National Assembly candidates was Saturday, 11’July 2026, INEC later extended it to Tuesday, 14;July 2026, following appeals from political parties.
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