Gombe Never Accessed ADC Portal, Atiku Camp’s Claims Baseless — INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations by the media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that it granted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) rival faction led by Nafiu Bala Gombe access to its candidate nomination portal.

The commission’s response follows a statement issued on Monday by Atiku’s Media Adviser and spokesman, Paul Ibe, who alleged that INEC had aided efforts to weaken the opposition by granting Gombe access codes despite recognising the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the ADC.

Reacting to the allegations, a senior INEC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the claims as baseless, insisting that Gombe never received access codes to upload candidates’ names.

“INEC did not give access codes to Nafiu Gombe as claimed by Atiku’s Media Office. INEC operates based on the legal framework guiding elections and the electoral system in Nigeria,” the official said.

The official explained that the commission recognises only the David Mark-led National Executive Committee of the ADC.

“If you go to our portal right now, Senator David Mark is the chairman of the ADC, while Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is the secretary,” the official stated, adding that the commission did not issue access codes to Gombe or any member of his camp.

According to the official, Gombe lacks the legal standing to submit candidates’ names because he is not recognised by INEC as the party’s national chairman.

“It is as good as saying that Nafiu Gombe cannot upload the names of candidates on the INEC portal because he is not the officially recognised chairman of the ADC. Gombe, or any of his agents, aides or close allies did not get any access codes from INEC to upload names of candidates,” the official said.

The commission also rejected allegations that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, was interfering in the ADC’s leadership dispute or working to undermine opposition parties.

“The allegation by Atiku’s Media Office that Amupitan is trying to weaken opposition parties is a baseless allegation. The attempt to drag Amupitan into political parties’ internal crisis is an exercise in futility,” the official said.

INEC urged political actors to focus on resolving their internal disagreements rather than blaming the electoral body, maintaining that it remains guided by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and its regulations in carrying out its responsibilities