Atiku’s Media Office Accuses INEC of Bias Over ADC Candidate Upload Dispute

The Atiku Media Office has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of aiding efforts to weaken the African Democratic Congress and other opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement posted on X by Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the group alleged that Nafiu Bala Gombe, who presents himself as national chairman of the ADC, uploaded the names of candidates on the INEC nomination portal on July 11, 2026.

The statement said the uploading of candidates’ names is part of the process for the 2027 general elections and is only possible after political parties are granted access codes by INEC in line with the commission’s guidelines.

It accused INEC of remaining silent on the reported upload, saying the commission had neither confirmed nor denied the development despite what it described as a contradiction of the law and electoral guidelines.

The Atiku Media Office alleged that INEC granted access to Bala Gombe despite recognising the Senator David Mark-led ADC executive as the legitimate leadership of the party. 

It claimed the action was similar to an earlier decision by the Prof. Joash Amupitan-led INEC, which it accused of removing the names of the recognised ADC executive following a court decision.

The group argued that Bala Gombe’s reported candidate upload was not supported by law or INEC guidelines, insisting that he is not the recognised chairman of the ADC and that there cannot be two recognised chairmen of one political party.

It said INEC’s action could create a crisis within the ADC and other opposition parties, alleging that the development was part of an attempt to weaken opposition groups ahead of the 2027 elections.

The statement referenced Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022, which it said require political parties to conduct recognised primaries supervised by INEC and submit validly nominated candidates for elective positions.

It alleged that Bala Gombe’s faction did not conduct party primaries and maintained that only candidates submitted by the David Mark-led executive are recognised under the law.

The Atiku Media Office called on INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan to stop what it described as interference capable of creating crises within opposition parties and accused the commission of supporting President Bola Tinubu’s alleged plan to weaken opposition forces.