The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed as false and misleading reports claiming that a group led by Mr. Nafiu Bala Gombe has successfully uploaded the names of a presidential candidate and other nominees to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal.

In a statement released today, the party described the reports as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and create confusion about the legitimate leadership of the ADC, insisting that the claims are not only baseless but also inconsistent with INEC's established procedures for political party nominations.

ADC Rejects Reports of Parallel Nomination Upload

According to the ADC, the reports alleging that individuals outside the party's recognised leadership have accessed the INEC nomination portal to submit candidates are entirely false.

The party explained that INEC's nomination system operates under strict procedures that prevent unauthorised individuals or groups from gaining access to the portal.

It noted that the electoral commission does not issue nomination portal access or nomination codes to any leadership it does not officially recognise. Furthermore, the Commission cannot issue multiple nomination codes to different factions of the same political party.

The ADC stressed that if such a process were possible, it would undermine the integrity of Nigeria's electoral system by allowing any individual or group to falsely claim control of a political party and submit candidates without legal authority.

INEC's Nomination Process Protects Electoral Integrity

The party maintained that the safeguards built into INEC's nomination process are designed to prevent precisely the kind of confusion reflected in the circulating reports.

According to the ADC, access to the nomination portal is restricted to the leadership recognised by the Commission, making claims of a separate upload by an unauthorised group both implausible and inconsistent with the Commission's procedures.

The party therefore challenged those promoting the reports to provide credible evidence to support their claims.

It questioned how a group that is neither recognised under the law nor acknowledged by INEC could have obtained access to a nomination portal that is reserved exclusively for authorised party officials.

ADC Raises Concern Over Alleged Forged INEC Documents

Beyond dismissing the reports, the ADC has formally drawn the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to what it describes as the apparent forgery and unauthorised use of documents purportedly issued by the Commission.

The party expressed concern that the circulation of such documents has the potential to mislead Nigerians, create unnecessary confusion, and erode public confidence in the integrity of the country's electoral process.

According to the ADC, any attempt to falsely attribute documents or official actions to INEC is a serious matter that deserves immediate scrutiny.

Call for Investigation

The ADC has called on INEC to investigate the alleged misuse of documents bearing the Commission's identity and to take appropriate steps to address what it described as a blatant misrepresentation.

The party said a thorough investigation would help clarify the facts, protect the integrity of the electoral process, and reassure Nigerians that official electoral procedures remain secure and credible.

ADC Reaffirms Commitment to Due Process

The ADC reiterated its commitment to transparency, the rule of law, and respect for Nigeria's electoral institutions.

The party urged members of the public, the media, and stakeholders to rely only on verified information from official sources and to disregard reports that seek to create confusion regarding the party's leadership or its interactions with INEC.

It also reaffirmed its confidence that the electoral commission will act appropriately to investigate the matter and preserve public trust in Nigeria's democratic institutions.