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.
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.
Meanwhile and in a related development the African Democratic Congress, ADC in a statement, has declared that the party is right to demand a criminal investigation into the claims attributed to Nafiu Bala Gombe after INEC reportedly disowned the document he circulated and denied granting him access to its restricted nomination portal.
According to the statement, this matter, can no longer be dismissed as ordinary factional politics.
Claiming access to a secured INEC platform, announcing that candidates have been uploaded and circulating documents presented as evidence are serious actions capable of misleading citizens, destabilising a political party and damaging confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
INEC’s nomination portal is not an open social-media page. Access is reserved for officials of political parties formally recognised by the Commission. Anyone claiming to have obtained such access must be able to present verifiable evidence directly authenticated by INEC.
Now that the Commission has reportedly rejected the claim, the next step should be clear: law-enforcement agencies must investigate how the document was produced, who circulated it and whether any offence was committed.
This is not a demand for punishment without due process. It is a demand that the law be allowed to work.
If Nafiu Bala and his associates fabricated or knowingly promoted false documents connected to INEC, they should be prosecuted in accordance with the law. If they possess authentic evidence supporting their claims, they should present it to the Commission and the public immediately.
Nigeria cannot approach 2027 with individuals casually making claims involving secured electoral systems and walking away when those claims collapse.
Such behaviour could create panic, inflame party disputes, mislead candidates and weaken trust in the institution responsible for conducting elections.
The ADC has shown responsibility by referring the matter back to INEC and demanding lawful action rather than encouraging disorder.
The Commission must now defend its integrity decisively.
Investigate the document.
Identify everyone involved.
Publish the findings.
Prosecute wrongdoing where the evidence supports it.
This issue is bigger than the ADC. It concerns the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process and the dangerous precedent that would be created if forged or misleading electoral documents could circulate without consequences.
Democracy depends on truth, lawful authority and public confidence.
None should be sacrificed for political desperation, the statement concluded.