2027 Race: INEC Recognises Atiku, 470 ADC Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it will recognise only the candidates submitted by the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), affirming that the faction has successfully nominated candidates for 471 elective positions ahead of the 2027 general election.

INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed that the commission granted the Mark-led leadership access to its restricted nomination portal following the Supreme Court judgment recognising its leadership of the party.

According to Haruna, the recognised faction has already submitted candidates for the presidential election, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“Yes, we gave the Mark-led faction the code based on the recent Supreme Court judgment that affirmed his leadership of the party,” Haruna said.

He explained that the faction submitted candidates for two presidential positions, 109 senatorial seats and 360 House of Representatives constituencies, bringing the total number of nominations to 471.

Haruna added that INEC had no legal basis to recognise submissions from the rival faction.

“The court did not say we should accept any submissions by the rival faction, which had already lost its appeal for recognition,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the ADC has called for the investigation and prosecution of its factional leader, Nafiu Bala Gombe, following INEC’s clarification that claims he uploaded the party’s candidates through the commission’s nomination portal were false.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC welcomed INEC’s clarification and accused Bala of attempting to mislead Nigerians.

The party described the alleged claim as a serious matter requiring criminal investigation.

“The issue has gone beyond political disagreements. It is now a clear attempt to mislead the Nigerian public,” the statement read.

The ADC argued that falsely claiming access to INEC’s restricted nomination portal amounted to a grave allegation that should attract the attention of security agencies.

The party therefore urged INEC to ensure that everyone involved in originating or promoting the alleged false claim is investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Haruna also disclosed that INEC would study the Certified True Copy of Monday’s Court of Appeal judgment concerning the ADC leadership dispute before making any further decisions.

The appellate court had affirmed an earlier Federal High Court ruling restraining INEC from recognising state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership.

However, INEC maintained that its recognition of the Mark-led leadership and acceptance of the candidates already submitted remain valid because they are based on the earlier Supreme Court judgment affirming the faction’s leadership.

The ADC also maintained that the Court of Appeal judgment affects only the conduct of the party’s congresses and has no impact on the direct primaries through which its candidates emerged for the 2027 elections.