The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially denied claims by Nafiu Bala, factional leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), that his group uploaded candidates for the 2027 election on the commission’s portal.Bala alleged that his faction gained access to INEC’s nomination system and submitted the party’s candidates.

However, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, refuted the claim, stating Bala is not recognized as the ADC’s national chairman.

A review of INEC’s official portal confirms Senator David Mark as the ADC’s chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, indicating they are the recognized officials.The APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, also dismissed the claim, arguing INEC cannot validate uploads from unrecognised factions.Abdullahi called the allegation a lie and urged Bala to provide evidence.The incident highlights ongoing tensions over election preparations and the legitimacy of political parties’ candidates.