INEC denies granting ADC faction access to candidate portal, rejects Atiku’s allegations

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied allegations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that it granted a rival faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) access to its candidate nomination portal, insisting that only the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party is recognised.

A senior INEC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Tuesday, said the commission did not issue access codes to Nafiu Gombe or anyone associated with his faction to upload candidates for the 2027 general election.

The clarification came a day after Atiku’s Media Office accused INEC of undermining opposition parties by allegedly granting Gombe access to the commission’s nomination portal despite recognising the David Mark-led National Executive Committee.

Atiku had also accused INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, of encouraging internal crises within opposition parties to weaken them ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, the INEC official dismissed the claims, saying the commission acts strictly in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and its regulations.

“INEC did not give access codes to Nafiu Gombe as claimed by Atiku’s Media Office. The recognised leadership of the ADC, according to our records, is that led by Senator David Mark,” the official said.

He added that the commission’s records identify David Mark as the party’s national chairman and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as national secretary.

The official stressed that Gombe lacked the legal authority to submit candidates to the commission because he is not recognised as the chairman of the party.