Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of taking actions that could worsen the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleging that the electoral body is not acting as an impartial umpire.
Atiku's criticism followed claims by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who lays claim to the chairmanship of the ADC, that he had uploaded the names of candidates belonging to his faction on INEC's portal ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, the former vice president questioned how Gombe was allegedly able to access the commission's portal despite the existence of a rival leadership led by former Senate President David Mark, which he said had been recognised by INEC.
According to Atiku, the development raises concerns about the commission's handling of internal disputes within political parties and its commitment to fairness in the electoral process.
He argued that access to INEC's candidate submission portal is granted through official codes issued to recognised political parties and their authorised representatives, making the reported action difficult to reconcile with the commission's previous position on the ADC leadership tussle.
“At a time when INEC has recognised the Senator David Mark-led executive, it is troubling that a rival claimant could reportedly gain access to the portal for the submission of candidates,” Atiku said.
The former vice president alleged that the electoral body had once again demonstrated partisanship by allegedly allowing a faction he described as unauthorised to carry out activities reserved for the recognised leadership of the party.
He further contended that such actions could create uncertainty and deepen divisions within the ADC at a critical period ahead of preparations for the next general election.
Atiku maintained that political parties are expected to submit candidates who emerge from valid primaries conducted in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Citing relevant legal provisions, he argued that only candidates produced through processes supervised by the recognised party leadership can be lawfully accepted by the electoral commission.
According to him, any candidate list submitted by persons not recognised under the party's constitution and applicable laws would have no legal standing.
The former vice president also accused INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, of presiding over actions that he claimed were detrimental to opposition parties, alleging that the commission's conduct could fuel unnecessary political crises.
He urged the electoral body to refrain from actions capable of undermining confidence in the democratic process and called on it to uphold its constitutional responsibility as an independent institution.
Atiku warned that perceived interference in the internal affairs of political parties could erode public trust in the electoral system and complicate preparations for the 2027 polls.
The former vice president's remarks add a new dimension to the ongoing controversy surrounding the leadership of the ADC, which has been the subject of legal and political disputes in recent months.
As of Monday evening, INEC had not publicly responded to the allegations or clarified whether any access code had been issued to the faction led by Gombe.
The commission has also not commented on the claim that candidates were uploaded to its portal by individuals outside the leadership structure it previously recognised.
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