The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will only recognise ADC candidates whose names were uploaded by the David Mark-led faction on its nomination portal.
INEC national commissioner Mohammed Haruna made the point clear and explained why: “Yes, we gave the Mark-led faction the code based on the recent Supreme Court judgment that affirmed his leadership of the party and the faction has since submitted most of its candidates for a total of 471 – presidential (2), senatorial (109) and House of Representatives (360) constituencies.”
INEC also denied that rival faction leader Nafiu Bala Gombe ever got access codes. The commission says only the Mark-led National Executive Committee has legal standing to submit candidates.
The Mark faction wasted no time. ADC publicity secretary Bolaji Abdullahi welcomed INEC’s position and accused Gombe’s camp of trying to fool the public and spreading fake news. The party wants INEC to refer Gombe and any associates to security agencies for investigation and prosecution, calling the act a serious electoral offence and a deliberate attempt to mislead Nigerians and compromise a secured government system.
This row comes amid legal confusion: a Court of Appeal ruling limited INEC from recognising congresses run by the Mark leadership, echoing a Federal High Court that said congresses must be organised by elected state leaders. That leaves the party’s fate in the 2027 polls a bit up in the air.
On a different note, Abdullahi has also said the ADC plans to restore fuel subsidy for low-income earners if it wins in 2027 — an idea that drew sharp criticism over practicality and clarity.
