Nafiu Gombe Never Accessed Our Portal, David Mark-Led ADC Remains Recognised – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied claims that it granted Nafiu Gombe or his associates access to its nomination portal, insisting that only the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is recognised by the electoral body.

A senior INEC official, who spoke anonymously, dismissed allegations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s Media Office that the commission had given Gombe access codes to upload candidates’ names for the 2027 general election.

The official said INEC operates strictly in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and its guidelines.

“INEC did not give access codes to Nafiu Gombe as claimed by Atiku’s Media Office. INEC operates based on the legal framework guiding elections and the electoral system in Nigeria,” the official said.

“Of course, we are talking about the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, the Electoral Act, and INEC’s guidelines and regulations.”
The official maintained that INEC’s records recognise only the leadership headed by Senator David Mark.

“So, based on that, the recognised leadership of ADC, according to our records, is that of the Senator David Mark-led leadership. If you go to our portal right now, Senator David Mark is the chairman of the ADC, while Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is the Secretary.”

The official added that Gombe was never granted access to the commission’s portal.

“According to records, INEC did not give Nafiu Gombe access codes. So, whatever anyone is saying, we are not really interested.”

The commission also insisted that Gombe had no legal authority to upload candidates’ names because he is not the recognised national chairman of the party.

“It’s as good as saying that Nafiu Gombe cannot upload the names of candidates on the INEC portal because he is not the officially recognised chairman of the ADC. Gombe, or any of his agents, aides or close allies did not get any access codes from INEC to upload names of candidates. In fact, the question is which portal did they upload the names? INEC does not recognise anything from Nafiu Gombe,” the official said.

Responding to allegations that INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, was working to weaken opposition parties, the official described the claims as baseless.

“The allegation by Atiku’s Media Office that Amupitan is trying to weaken opposition parties is a baseless allegation. The attempt to drag Amupitan into political parties’ internal crisis is an exercise in futility.”

“Amupitan did not go to court. Amupitan did not drag Nafiu Gombe to court and Amupitan did not drag the David Mark-led ADC to court; it’s a party crisis, so why are they trying to drag Amupitan into it?”

“The allegations are baseless. They should rather focus on strengthening their party than blaming Amupitan for their problems.”

The controversy followed allegations by Atiku’s Media Office that INEC had helped a rival ADC faction by allegedly granting Gombe access to the commission’s nomination portal despite recognising the David Mark-led National Executive Committee.

The ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, also dismissed claims that Gombe’s faction uploaded candidates to the portal, insisting that only the David Mark-led leadership had access to the system. The party further called on INEC to investigate what it described as the alleged forgery and unauthorised use of documents purportedly issued by the electoral commission.