The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate what it described as the alleged forgery and unauthorised use of electoral documents after a rival faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe claimed it had uploaded the party’s presidential and National Assembly candidates to the commission’s nomination portal. The party insists the claim is false and says only the leadership recognised by INEC can access the portal.

The leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress has deepened after the party accused a rival faction of attempting to mislead the public with claims that it successfully submitted candidates for the 2027 general election through INEC’s nomination portal.

The latest development has prompted the opposition party to formally petition the electoral commission, urging it to investigate what it described as possible forgery involving documents purportedly issued by INEC.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC dismissed as “false and misleading” claims that the Nafiu Bala Gombe-led faction had uploaded the names of a presidential candidate and other nominees onto INEC’s portal.

According to the party, INEC only provides nomination portal access and authentication codes to the leadership it officially recognises, arguing that the commission cannot lawfully issue multiple nomination codes to rival groups within the same political party.

The party said it had formally drawn INEC’s attention to what it believes is the unauthorised circulation and possible forgery of documents presented as originating from the commission.

ADC urged INEC to investigate the matter and take appropriate action to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, warning that false claims surrounding candidate submissions could create unnecessary confusion ahead of the 2027 elections.

The party further maintained that there is no leadership vacuum within the ADC and reiterated that the recognised leadership had already completed the lawful nomination process.

It stated that the details of its presidential candidate and running mate had already been successfully submitted through the official INEC portal in accordance with the Electoral Act and the commission’s guidelines.

The latest exchange underscores the growing political tension surrounding the ADC’s internal leadership dispute as preparations for the 2027 general election gather pace. With competing claims now before the public, attention is expected to shift to INEC’s response and whether it will investigate the allegations raised by the party.