Fresh political controversy has erupted ahead of the 2027 general elections after the Atiku Media Office accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of unlawfully granting access to its candidate nomination portal to a rival faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The allegation has intensified debates over the neutrality of Nigeria’s electoral umpire as preparations for the next election gather pace.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Atiku Media Office alleged that Nafiu Bala Gombe, whom it described as a claimant to the ADC national chairmanship, announced that he had successfully uploaded candidates to INEC’s nomination portal. The media office argued that such access should only be granted to the legally recognized leadership of a political party in accordance with the Electoral Act and INEC’s guidelines.
According to the statement, the leadership of the ADC headed by former Senate President David Mark remains the recognized executive, insisting that any candidate list submitted by another faction would have no legal standing. The media office questioned how two different individuals could be treated as party chairmen under the same electoral process, alleging that the development raises concerns about fairness and transparency.
The Atiku Media Office further claimed that the rival faction did not conduct valid party primaries as required by law and maintained that only candidates produced through the recognized party structure should be accepted. It called on INEC to explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged portal access and avoid actions capable of creating internal crises within opposition parties.
The allegations have added another layer of political tension as parties continue preparations for the 2027 elections. Analysts believe disputes over party leadership and candidate nominations could significantly influence the electoral process if not resolved through legal and institutional mechanisms.
As of the time of reporting, INEC had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the statement. Political observers say the commission’s response, if issued, could help clarify the situation as stakeholders continue to monitor developments ahead of the next general elections.
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