The leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) headed by Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe has intensified the party’s internal power tussle after announcing that it has successfully uploaded its presidential, vice-presidential and National Assembly candidates onto the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development is widely seen as a significant escalation in the leadership crisis rocking the opposition party and a potential setback for the Atiku Abubakar-backed coalition, which has sought to position the ADC as its political platform for the 2027 presidential contest.
In a statement issued on July 12, 2026, Bala declared that the completion of the statutory exercise demonstrates the party’s determination to defend the interests of its founding members against what he described as anti-democratic forces.
According to him, the successful upload of candidates underscores the party’s commitment to internal democracy and its resolve to preserve the integrity of the ADC amid the ongoing leadership dispute.
“This achievement demonstrates our party’s firm commitment to safeguarding the interests of our founding and legacy members in the face of anti-democratic tendencies,” Bala stated.
He further maintained that the party remains focused on presenting competent and credible candidates capable of offering Nigerians purposeful leadership and good governance in 2027.
“As a party, the ADC remains resolute in its mission to field credible, competent and people-centered candidates who will provide purposeful leadership, promote good governance and bring hope to the Nigerian people,” he added.
The upload of candidates to the INEC portal is one of the statutory requirements political parties must fulfil in preparation for general elections. The move by the Bala-led leadership is expected to further complicate the battle for control of the ADC, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s legitimate leadership.
Although the party has yet to publicly unveil the identities of the candidates uploaded to the electoral commission’s portal, ADC officials said further details would be released in the coming weeks as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
The latest development is expected to heighten political tensions within the opposition, with the outcome of the ADC leadership dispute likely to shape the configuration of alliances ahead of the 2027 general election.