The African Democratic Congress has called for the investigation and prosecution of its factional leader, Nafiu Gombe, following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s clarification that claims that Gombe uploaded the party’s candidates for the 2027 general election through the commission’s nomination portal were false.

The party made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, following INEC’s clarification that it did not grant Bala access codes to its restricted nomination portal and that only the David Mark-led National Executive Committee is recognised by the electoral body.

The latest development is the newest twist in the prolonged leadership crisis rocking the ADC, which has pitched the David Mark-led leadership against a rival faction headed by Bala.

The dispute has triggered multiple court cases, protests and disagreements over the party’s legitimate leadership ahead of preparations for the 2027 general election.

Reacting to INEC’s clarification, the ADC welcomed the commission’s position and accused Bala of attempting to mislead Nigerians. The party said the issue had gone beyond political disagreements and now bordered on an alleged attempt to deceive the public.

The statement partly read, “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 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.”

The ADC argued that falsely claiming access to INEC’s restricted nomination portal was a serious allegation that should attract the attention of security agencies.

The opposition party consequently urged the electoral commission to ensure that everyone connected with the alleged false claim is investigated and prosecuted.

“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.”

“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”, the party stated.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Atiku Abubakar’s Media Office accused INEC of granting Bala access to the commission’s nomination portal, an allegation the electoral body subsequently denied.

However, in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Online on Monday, a senior INEC official said the commission did not issue any access code to Bala, stressing that only the David Mark-led leadership is recognised by the commission and authorised to access the nomination portal.