By Luminous Jannamike
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to refer Nafiu Bala Gombe for arrest, investigation and prosecution after the commission disowned his claim that he had gained access to its restricted nomination portal and uploaded candidates for the 2027 general election.
The party said the controversy had gone beyond politics, warning that false claims about access to INEC’s secured systems, if left unchecked, could weaken public confidence in the country’s electoral process.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC welcomed INEC’s clarification that the document circulated by Bala was forged and that his claim was false.
With that settled, the party said the next step should be to investigate those behind the alleged falsehood.
Abdullahi said, “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 unmistakeable attempt to mislead the Nigerian public by making false claims and fabricating and sharing forged documents that directly impugn the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral management body.”
According to Abdullahi, anyone who publicly claimed access to INEC’s restricted nomination platform and exercised powers reserved for recognised party officials had raised questions that deserved the immediate attention of law enforcement agencies.
Calling for action, Abdullahi said: “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.
“This is because such claims are capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process, creating unnecessary political tension and casting doubt on the security and credibility of INEC’s systems.”
He said the issue was bigger than the ADC.
“This is not about the ADC alone. It is about protecting the integrity of public institutions. It is about ensuring that no one believes they can make false claims that involve critical national institutions without consequences. More importantly, it is about preserving public confidence in the processes that underpin our democracy,” Abdullahi said.
The spokesman also urged INEC to see Bala’s actions as ‘a direct challenge to its institutional integrity’, saying the commission’s response would test its resolve to defend its credibility and the rule of law.
Abdullahi said, “How this matter is handled will send an important signal about the seriousness with which our institutions defend their credibility and the rule of law.
“If individuals can falsely claim access to the Commission’s secured systems, generate widespread public anxiety and simply move on when the claim is disproved, a dangerous precedent would have been established. Others may be tempted to deploy similar falsehoods in the future to create confusion, inflame political passions or undermine confidence in the electoral process. The public is watching.”
Abdullahi said the ADC remained committed to democratic politics, respect for institutions and peaceful political competition, expressing confidence that the relevant authorities would act decisively to ensure deliberate falsehoods of this nature did not become an accepted feature of Nigeria’s democratic life.
