The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it will only recognize candidates submitted by the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election.
The electoral body disclosed that the faction has already submitted candidates for 471 elective positions after being granted access to its nomination portal.
Speaking on Tuesday, INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, said the commission gave the Mark-led leadership access to the portal after a Supreme Court ruling affirmed it as the recognised leadership of the party.
He explained that the faction had since completed nominations for two presidential positions, 109 senatorial seats and 360 House of Representatives constituencies.
Haruna also stated that the rival faction had no legal backing to submit candidates because the Supreme Court judgment did not direct INEC to recognise any nominations from that group.
He added that the faction had also lost its appeal seeking recognition.
Following INEC’s position, the ADC called for the investigation and prosecution of its factional leader, Nafiu Gombe, over claims that he uploaded the party’s candidates to INEC’s nomination portal.
The party described the claim as false after the commission denied giving Gombe access to the restricted platform.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said INEC had made it clear that only the National Executive Committee led by David Mark was recognised and authorised to use the nomination portal.
He accused Gombe of spreading false information and attempting to deceive Nigerians.
According to the ADC, the matter had moved beyond an internal political disagreement because it involved claims about access to a restricted electoral platform.
The party insisted that anyone responsible for making or promoting the alleged false claims should face investigation and legal action.
The party urged INEC and security agencies to ensure that everyone connected with the matter is held accountable under the law if found guilty.
The controversy followed an earlier allegation by the media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, which claimed that INEC had granted Gombe access to the nomination portal.
The commission later rejected the allegation.
