The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Nafiu Bala Gombe following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) dismissal of his claim that he had obtained the commission’s access code and uploaded candidates for the 2027 general election.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said that INEC’s disclaimer that the document that Nafiu Bala Gombe circulated was false and forged, amounted to a criminal attempt to undermine the integrity of INEC. The party urged the commission to refer the matter to law enforcement agencies, warning that allowing such claims to go unpunished could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The full statement 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 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 by making false claims and fabricating and sharing forged documents that directly impugn the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral management body.
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. As INEC has now confirmed, Nafiu Bala Gombe’s actions raise serious questions that deserve the immediate attention of law enforcement agencies.
This is because such claims are capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process, creating unnecessary political tension and casting doubt on the security and credibility of INEC’s systems.
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.
This is not about the ADC alone. It is about protecting the integrity of public institutions. It is about ensuring that no one believes they can make false claims that involve critical national institutions without consequences. More importantly, it is about preserving public confidence in the processes that underpin our democracy.
INEC must see Nafiu Bala Gombe’s action for what it is: a direct challenge to its institutional integrity.
How this matter is handled will send an important signal about the seriousness with which our institutions defend their credibility and the rule of law. If individuals can falsely claim access to the Commission’s secured systems, generate widespread public anxiety and simply move on when the claim is disproved, a dangerous precedent would have been established. Others may be tempted to deploy similar falsehoods in the future to create confusion, inflame political passions or undermine confidence in the electoral process. The public is watching.
The ADC remains committed to democratic politics, respect for institutions and the peaceful conduct of political competition. We trust that the relevant authorities will act decisively to ensure that deliberate falsehoods of this nature do not become an accepted feature of our democratic life.
Signed:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
