By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the arrest and prosecution of Nafiu Bala Gombe following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) rejection of his claim that he obtained the commission’s access code and uploaded candidates for the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said INEC’s clarification that the document circulated by Bala was forged and that his claims were false had elevated the matter beyond political controversy to a criminal issue requiring investigation by law enforcement agencies.
The ADC argued that publicly claiming access to INEC’s restricted candidate nomination platform and purporting to exercise powers reserved for recognised political party officials constituted a serious allegation capable of undermining confidence in the country’s electoral system.
According to the party, such actions could create unnecessary political tension and cast doubt on the security and credibility of INEC’s nomination process.
The opposition party urged INEC to refer the matter to the appropriate security agencies to ensure that Bala and anyone involved in originating or circulating the alleged forged document are investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“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 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 statement said.
The ADC maintained that the matter extends beyond the interests of the party, describing it as a test of the country’s commitment to protecting the integrity of public institutions and preserving confidence in the electoral process.
The party warned that failure to act decisively could set a dangerous precedent by encouraging others to make similar false claims capable of creating confusion, inflaming political tensions and undermining trust in democratic institutions.
It stressed that the manner in which the matter is handled would send a strong signal about the seriousness with which public institutions defend their credibility and uphold the rule of law.
Reaffirming its commitment to democratic politics, respect for institutions and peaceful political competition, the ADC expressed confidence that the relevant authorities would take appropriate action to ensure that deliberate falsehoods affecting critical national institutions do not become a feature of Nigeria’s democratic process.
