The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Nafiu Bala Gombe after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disowned his claim that he obtained the commission’s access code and uploaded candidates for the 2027 general election.

Reacting to the development on Tuesday through its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said INEC’s confirmation that the document circulated by Bala Gombe was false and forged amounted to a criminal attempt to undermine the integrity of the electoral body.

The ADC urged INEC to refer the matter to law enforcement agencies, warning that failure to punish such actions could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

“The African Democratic Congress welcomes the prompt clarification by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which unequivocally confirmed that the document circulated by Mr Nafiu Bala, purporting to show that he had obtained the commission’s access code and uploaded candidates on behalf of the ADC for the 2027 general election, was forged and that the claim itself was entirely false,” the statement read.

The party said the issue had gone beyond making 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.”

“To publicly claim that one has gained access to INEC’s restricted nomination platform and exercised powers reserved for duly recognised party officials is a grave matter,” the ADC said. “As INEC has now confirmed, Nafiu Bala Gombe’s actions raise serious questions that deserve the immediate attention of law enforcement agencies.”

It noted that such claims were capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process, creating unnecessary political tension and casting doubt on the security and credibility of INEC’s systems.

“As a responsible party, the ADC therefore calls on INEC to take all the necessary steps to ensure that Mr Nafiu Bala and anyone else involved in originating or promoting this falsehood are investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the party added.

The ADC stressed that its demand was not about the party alone but about protecting public institutions.

“This is about ensuring that no one believes they can make false claims involving critical national institutions without consequences. More importantly, it is about preserving public confidence in the processes that underpin our democracy,” it said.

The party warned that how the matter is handled “will send an important signal about the seriousness with which our institutions defend their credibility and the rule of law,” adding that ignoring it would set “a dangerous precedent.”

“We trust that the relevant authorities will act decisively to ensure that deliberate falsehoods of this nature do not become an accepted feature of our democratic life,” the ADC stated. (Nigerian Tribune)