ADC Urges INEC to Prosecute Factional Chairman Nafiu Bala Over Alleged False Candidate Upload Claim

ABUJA, Nigeria – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate and prosecute the party’s factional National Chairman, Nafiu Bala, over his claim that he uploaded candidates’ names to the Commission’s nomination portal for the 2027 general election.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the demand in a statement on Tuesday, describing Bala’s claim as false and capable of misleading the public.

According to Abdullahi, Bala had claimed that his faction obtained INEC’s access code and successfully uploaded candidates for the 2027 elections on the Commission’s restricted nomination portal.

However, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, dismissed the claim, stating that Bala is not recognised by the Commission as the national chairman of the ADC.

Reacting to INEC’s clarification, Abdullahi welcomed the Commission’s position and urged it to take legal action against Bala and anyone involved in spreading the alleged falsehood.

“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,” the statement read.

The ADC spokesman argued that the matter goes beyond political disagreement and amounts to 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 unmistakable attempt to mislead the Nigerian public.”

Abdullahi further maintained that falsely claiming access to INEC’s restricted nomination platform is a serious allegation that should attract criminal investigation.

“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.”

He added that the ADC expects INEC to ensure Bala and any other persons involved are investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.