Electoral body shuts down rival faction, says opposition’s claims of nominee portal access are “entirely false”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dealt a crushing blow to a factional ADC leader, confirming that only candidates submitted by the Senator David Mark-led leadership will be recognised for the 2027 general election.
In a decisive move that reshapes the opposition landscape, INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna told The PUNCH that the commission granted the Mark-led faction exclusive access to its nomination portal following a Supreme Court judgment affirming its leadership.
The Mark faction has already submitted candidates for a staggering 471 elective positions – including the presidential ticket (with Atiku Abubakar as the flagbearer), 109 senatorial seats, and all 360 House of Representatives constituencies.
Counterfeit Claims Exposed
The commission’s clarification comes after rival faction leader Nafiu Gombe allegedly claimed he had uploaded candidates through INEC’s portal a claim the electoral body has now branded as false.
“The court did not say we should accept any submissions by the rival faction which, in any case, had lost its appeal for recognition,” Haruna stated emphatically.
ADC Demands Prosecution
The legitimate ADC leadership has now called for Gombe’s investigation and prosecution, describing his actions as a “clear and unmistakable attempt to mislead the Nigerian public.”
“This is no longer simply about continuous false statements. It is about a grave matter that deserves the immediate attention of law enforcement agencies,” the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, declared.
Legal Battle Continues
However, the leadership dispute isn’t fully settled. A Monday Court of Appeal judgment (split 2-1) affirmed an earlier Federal High Court decision restraining INEC from recognising state congresses conducted by Mark-appointed caretaker committees.
INEC says it will study the Certified True Copy of the judgment before taking a position, but maintains that candidate nominations already submitted remain valid.
