Following clarifications by the Independent National Electoral Commission that claims by Gombe that he had uploaded the party’s candidates for the 2027 general election to the commission’s nomination portal were false, the party has called for the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the ADC factional leader. The party made the demand in a statement Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, following INEC’s clarification that only the David Mark-led National Executive Committee is recognized by the electoral body. The factional leader's claims had added to the confusion in the polity over the 2027 election and caused much embarrassment to both Abubakar Atiku, the party's Presidential candidate and Sen. David Mark, it's national chairman. The latest development is the latest twist in the prolonged leadership crisis rocking the ADC, which has pitched the David Mark-led leadership against a rival faction headed by Gombe in a dispute which has triggered multiple court cases, protests and disagreements over the party’s legitimate leadership ahead of preparations for the 2027 general election. Reacting to INEC’s clarification, the ADC welcomed the commission’s position and accused Gombe of misleading Nigerians. The party said the issue had gone beyond political disagreements and now bordered on an alleged attempt to deceive the public. Abdullahi's statement partly read, “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 Gombe purporting 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 is entirely false. The issue before us is no longer simply about continuous false statements that have been issued by Nafiu Bala Gombe at the behest of his sponsors. It is about the clear and unmistakable attempt to mislead the Nigerian public.” The ADC argued that falsely claiming access to INEC’s restricted nomination portal is a serious allegation that should attract the attention of security agencies. The party consequently urged the electoral commission to ensure that everyone connected with the false claim is investigated and prosecuted. “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." Atiku Abubakar’s Media Office had earlier accused INEC of granting Gombe access to the commission’s nomination portal, an allegation the electoral body subsequently denied. Following an Appeal Court judgment last monday, the party had clarified the status of David Mark which the party insisted remains its national chairman. A press statement titled, 'APPEAL COURT JUDGMENT DOES NOT CHANGE THE STATUS OF ADC NATIONAL LEADERSHIP AS DAVID MARK REMAINS AUTHENTIC NATIONAL CHAIRMAN', and signed by its Benue State Publicity Secretary, Comr. Tyoluga Wuhe, the ADC Media Alliance (AMA) said its attention "has been drawn to the various misleading interpretations and deliberate misinformation being circulated on social media following the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal concerning the internal affairs of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). "For the avoidance of doubt, there is absolutely nothing new in the judgment of the Court of Appeal that alters the current leadership structure of our great party. The African Democratic Congress had long complied with the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court by suspending the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Officers pending the final determination of the legal processes." The APC Media Alliance argued that, "The Appeal Court judgment does not invalidate the existing national leadership of the party. It does not remove Senator David Mark from his position, nor does it confer legitimacy on any contrary claims being circulated by political mischief makers seeking to confuse party members and the general public. "Accordingly," the statement said, "Senator David Mark remains the authentic National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the National Working Committee under his leadership continues to function lawfully in accordance with the Constitution of the party and the applicable decisions of the courts." The statement appealed to the party's members, supporters and the Nigerian public to disregard false narratives and propaganda which it said is "designed to create unnecessary tension within our party", insisting that, "As a law abiding political party, the African Democratic Congress will continue to comply with every lawful directive of the courts while pursuing all legitimate legal processes where necessary. Our commitment to democracy, justice, and constitutional order remains unwavering."

Posted: 4weeks ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 14 August 2026