INEC Dismisses Atiku Camp’s Claims on Gombe, ADC Nomination Portal

By Our Correspondent, Abuja

















---Commission insists portal is accessible, says it will keep status quo on ADC leadership dispute














The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has dismissed allegations by associates of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that it is denying access to the African Democratic Congress nomination portal, saying all registered parties, including ADC factions, have collected their access codes.
The clarification came hours after Atiku’s media office in Abuja raised concerns on Monday about what it called a "fresh plot" to stop the ADC from contesting in the 2027 elections through restrictions on the portal.
INEC Sets the Record Straight:

According to INEC, no political party has formally reported being blocked from the Candidate Nomination Portal, CNP.
A senior commission official disclosed that as of Tuesday evening, "virtually all registered political parties had collected their access codes from the commission".
The official explained that the codes allow parties to upload candidate details ahead of the 2027 polls.
On the lingering ADC leadership crisis, INEC said it is complying with the March 12, 2026 Court of Appeal ruling in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, which ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the suit.
“As a result, the Commission refused to accede to the request of the Plaintiff’s Solicitors to allow Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe to take over the affairs of the party pending the determination of the case”, INEC stated.
The commission added that it will not recognise or deal with any of the contending ADC factions until the Federal High Court delivers judgement.
Atiku’s Camp Speaks Out:
In its Monday statement, Atiku’s media office alleged attempts to frustrate the ADC’s participation in 2027.
Phrank Shaibu, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku, described the development as politically driven.“What we are witnessing is the unravelling of a poorly scripted political ambush designed to cripple opposition voices”, Shaibu said.
He further argued:
“The fact that INEC itself has come forward to puncture the legal vacuum of this application speaks volumes. It confirms what Nigerians already suspect, that this was never about law, but about intimidation”.
ADC Factions React:

The ADC is currently divided among three groups led by Senator David Mark, Nafiu Bala Gombe, and Dumebi Kachikwu.
The Nafiu Bala Gombe faction confirmed receiving access from INEC.National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said:“We have received the access codes for the various offices from Independent National Electoral Commission, since last week”.
The same faction also issued a statement dismissing claims that Atiku is the ADC’s 2027 presidential candidate, insisting the party has instead nominated Chris Uba.
Next Steps:
INEC said it will not monitor, attend, or recognise any congress, convention, or meeting organised by any ADC faction until the court decides the matter.
The commission also reminded all parties that May 10 is the deadline for submitting membership registers to qualify to field candidates in 2027.
As at the time of filing this report, Atiku’s camp had not submitted documentary proof of portal denial to INEC.

Source: The PUNCH, Daily Trust, Daily Post Nigeria