Explosive Scandal: ADC Demands Prosecution of Factional Chairman Over Forged INEC Document

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vehemently called for the immediate arrest and rigorous prosecution of Nafiu Bala Gombe. This demand arises in the wake of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) publicly disowning Bala Gombe’s assertion that he had obtained the commission’s access code and subsequently uploaded candidates for the forthcoming 2027 general election. The ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Tuesday, stated that INEC's confirmation of the document circulated by Bala Gombe as false and forged constituted a criminal endeavor aimed at undermining the integrity of Nigeria's paramount electoral body.

The ADC has urged INEC to promptly refer this grave matter to relevant law enforcement agencies, issuing a stark warning that any failure to adequately punish such actions could severely erode public confidence in the nation’s electoral process. Mallam Abdullahi welcomed INEC’s swift clarification, which unequivocally confirmed that the document disseminated by Mr. Nafiu Bala, purporting to demonstrate his access to the commission’s systems and the uploading of candidates on behalf of the ADC for the 2027 general election, was indeed forged, and the claim itself was entirely baseless.

The party emphasized that the situation had escalated beyond mere false statements, describing it as a “clear and unmistakable 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.” The ADC underscored the gravity of publicly claiming to have gained unauthorized access to INEC’s restricted nomination platform and exercising powers exclusively reserved for duly recognized party officials. They asserted that, as confirmed by INEC, Nafiu Bala Gombe’s actions raise profound questions necessitating the immediate attention of law enforcement agencies.

According to the ADC, such unsubstantiated claims possess the capacity to significantly undermine public confidence in the electoral process, generate unnecessary political tension, and cast serious doubt on the security and overall credibility of INEC’s systems. As a responsible political entity, the ADC therefore implores INEC to undertake all requisite measures to ensure that Mr. Nafiu Bala, alongside any other individuals involved in originating or promoting this falsehood, are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in strict accordance with the law.

The party further stressed that its demand transcends mere party interests; it is fundamentally about safeguarding critical public institutions. The ADC aims to ensure that no individual believes they can make false claims involving pivotal national institutions without facing severe consequences. More significantly, it is geared towards preserving the invaluable public confidence in the foundational processes that underpin Nigeria's democracy. INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, had also dismissed Bala Gombe's claims, clarifying that he is not recognized by the commission as the ADC’s national chairman and that the circulated document lacked authenticity.

The ADC issued a clear warning that the manner in which this matter is handled will convey an important signal regarding the seriousness with which Nigeria’s institutions are prepared to defend their credibility and uphold the rule of law. They cautioned that ignoring such a serious incident would establish a “dangerous precedent.” The party expressed its trust that the relevant authorities will act decisively to prevent deliberate falsehoods of this magnitude from becoming an accepted feature of Nigeria’s democratic landscape.