Atiku Blasts INEC Over Rival ADC Faction Portal Access
ABUJA — Fresh cracks have emerged in Nigeria’s opposition landscape as the Media Office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply 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), a move it claims is designed to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja on Monday, July 13, 2026, Atiku’s media team alleged that INEC provided portal access to Nafiu Bala Gombe, whom they described as a “pretender” to the ADC national chairmanship.
This came after Gombe announced on July 11 that he had successfully uploaded candidates’ names for the upcoming polls.
The Atiku Media Office insisted that only the leadership headed by former Senate President Senator David Mark is legally recognized by INEC and in line with the party’s guidelines.
They argued that granting access to Gombe’s faction violates the commission’s own rules and demonstrates clear partisanship.
“By granting access code to Bala Gombe… though the law is not on his side and INEC has since validated the chairmanship of the Sen. David Mark-led exco, the electoral umpire is once again manifesting its partisanship,” the statement read.
The group further claimed that Gombe did not conduct valid party primaries as required by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, rendering any candidate list from his faction invalid and “null and void.”
They urged INEC to clarify the situation and avoid actions that could fuel internal crises within opposition parties.
This latest accusation highlights ongoing leadership tussles within the ADC. The David Mark-led executive has been recognized by INEC, while Gombe’s faction continues to assert its legitimacy.
Reports indicate that parallel activities, including claims of uploading candidates, are intensifying the rift as political parties position themselves for the 2027 race.
Atiku Abubakar, a prominent opposition figure and former Presidential candidate, has been actively engaging in political realignments.
His media office’s intervention signals broader concerns among opposition stakeholders about the integrity of the electoral process and perceived favoritism by the electoral umpire.
INEC has not yet issued an official response to these specific allegations as of the time of this report.
However, the commission has consistently maintained that it operates within the bounds of the law and recognizes leadership based on court judgments and constitutional provisions.
With the 2027 general elections still over a year away, early maneuvering, factional disputes, and accusations of bias are already dominating the political discourse.
Such developments could shape coalition formations, candidate selections, and voter perceptions of the electoral body’s neutrality.
Critics of INEC often point to recurring issues of transparency and fairness, while the commission defends its independence.
For opposition parties like the ADC, resolving internal leadership crises will be crucial if they hope to mount a formidable challenge against the ruling party.
As Nigeria’s democratic journey continues, incidents like this serve as reminders of the high stakes involved in electoral preparations.
Stakeholders on all sides will be watching closely how INEC handles such disputes in the coming months.
The Atiku Media Office’s statement adds yet another layer of intrigue to what promises to be a highly competitive and contentious political season.
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