The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied allegations that it granted a rival faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Nafiu Gombe, access to its candidate nomination portal.

Responding to claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s media office, a senior INEC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the commission recognises only the David Mark-led National Executive Committee of the ADC.

The official dismissed the allegation that Gombe or his associates received access codes to upload candidates’ names, insisting that the commission operates strictly within the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act and its electoral guidelines.

“INEC did not give access codes to Nafiu Gombe as claimed by Atiku’s Media Office. According to our records, the recognised leadership of the ADC is that of Senator David Mark as chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as secretary,” the official said.

The official added that Gombe lacks the legal authority to submit candidates’ names through INEC’s portal because he is not recognised by the commission as the party’s chairman.

INEC also rejected claims that its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, was involved in the ADC’s leadership dispute or was working to undermine opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.

“The allegations are baseless. This is an internal party matter, and there is no basis for dragging the INEC chairman into it,” the official said, urging political parties to resolve their internal issues rather than blame the commission.

The controversy followed allegations by Atiku’s media office that INEC had assisted efforts to weaken the opposition by allegedly granting Gombe’s faction access to the nomination portal despite recognising the David Mark-led leadership.

The ADC also denied claims that Gombe’s faction uploaded candidates’ names to the commission’s portal. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party maintained that INEC recognises only the David Mark-led leadership and called on the commission to investigate the alleged forgery and unauthorised use of documents purportedly linked to the electoral body.

The leadership dispute within the ADC has intensified since the emergence of former Senate President David Mark as national chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, with rival factions contesting the appointments ahead of the 2027 general election.