- Amupitan Demands Improved Funding, Staff Welfare Ahead Of Polls
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for a criminal investigation and prosecution of Mr. Nafiu Bala Gombe following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) disavowal of his claims that he accessed the commission’s restricted nomination portal and uploaded candidates for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi on Tuesday, the ADC said INEC’s clarification that the document circulated by Bala was forged had exposed what it described as a deliberate attempt to mislead Nigerians and undermine confidence in the country’s electoral process.
The opposition party said the matter had gone beyond political propaganda and now required the intervention of law enforcement agencies.
“The issue before us is no longer simply about the continuous false statements that have been issued by Nafiu Bala Gombe at the behest of his sponsors. It is about the 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,” the statement said.
According to the ADC, Bala’s claim that he gained access to INEC’s secured nomination platform and exercised powers reserved for duly recognised party officials was a serious allegation capable of eroding public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
The party argued that such claims could create unnecessary political tension and cast doubt on the security and credibility of INEC’s digital infrastructure.
“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. As INEC has now confirmed, Nafiu Bala Gombe’s actions raise serious questions that deserve the immediate attention of law enforcement agencies,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC therefore urged INEC to ensure that everyone involved in originating or promoting the alleged false claims and forged document is investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The party stressed that the issue was not solely about the ADC but about safeguarding the credibility of national institutions.
“This is not about the ADC alone. It is about protecting the integrity of public institutions. It is about ensuring that no one believes they can make false claims that involve critical national institutions without consequences,” the statement added.
The opposition party further described Bala’s alleged actions as “a direct challenge” to INEC’s institutional integrity, warning that failure to act decisively could encourage similar attempts to spread misinformation capable of destabilising future elections.
“How this matter is handled will send an important signal about the seriousness with which our institutions defend their credibility and the rule of law. If individuals can falsely claim access to the Commission’s secured systems, generate widespread public anxiety and simply move on when the claim is disproved, a dangerous precedent would have been established,” Abdullahi stated.
The ADC maintained that it remained committed to democratic politics, respect for public institutions and peaceful political competition, expressing confidence that the relevant authorities would take decisive action to ensure that deliberate falsehoods do not become an accepted feature of Nigeria’s democratic process.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has appealed to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for increased and consistent funding to strengthen the Commission’s operations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Prof. Amupitan made the appeal on Tuesday, 14th July, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, in Abuja, describing the visit as part of ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration between the two federal bodies.
He said INEC’s constitutional mandate covers the conduct of elections for the offices of the President, Vice President, National Assembly, State Governors, State Houses of Assembly, and the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, as well as continuous voter registration and the registration of political parties.
The INEC Chairman noted that the cost of conducting governorship elections alone exceeds the combined cost of Presidential and National Assembly elections, and that the Commission also bears the financial burden of pre-election and post-election matters, including election petitions arising from party primaries.
He explained that INEC maintains offices across all 36 states and the FCT, as well as in all 774 local government areas, with the Federal Government currently bearing the full cost of these nationwide operations.
Prof. Amupitan stressed the need for improved welfare packages for INEC staff, noting that competitive remuneration remains essential to retaining skilled personnel and sustaining institutional efficiency. He observed that the Commission had, in recent times, lost some experienced staff to migration, attributing the trend in part to inadequate remuneration, and warned that a widening skill gap could result as more experienced personnel approach retirement. He said improved welfare conditions would boost staff morale and strengthen public confidence in the Commission’s electoral outcomes.
He called for improved infrastructure funding and adequate investment in electoral technology and personnel training, stressing that these investments remain vital to safeguarding institutional knowledge within the Commission.
He assured the RMAFC that INEC remained committed to delivering free, fair, transparent and credible elections, noting that the Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for 16 January 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on 6 February 2027.
The INEC Chairman also disclosed that the Commission will conduct off-cycle governorship election in Osun state on 15 August 2026, adding that INEC’s most recent Governorship in Ekiti state and bye elections in other states had received commendation both locally and internationally.
Responding, the RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, commended INEC for its consistency in conducting elections since 1999 and pledged the Commission’s support towards ensuring INEC delivers credible polls in 2027.
Dr. Shehu acknowledged the scale of INEC’s responsibilities across the federal, state and local government levels, describing the Commission’s operational demands as enormous given its nationwide presence.
He assured Prof. Amupitan and his team that RMAFC’s doors remained open for continued engagement and collaboration in support of INEC’s electoral mandate.
The INEC Chairman was accompanied by National Commissioners, the Secretary of the Commission, technical aides and directors, while the RMAFC Chairman received the delegation alongside the Vice Chairman, Commissioners, and senior directors of the Commission.
