The African Democratic Congress has refuted a report that the Independent National Electoral Commission has validated and released a list of the party’s state chairmen across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement released on Sunday by the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, via his official X account, the ADC national leadership clarified that INEC has issued no such confirmation, either officially or unofficially.

The report, in some sections of the media, listed what they claimed were ADC State Chairmen, as confirmed by INEC.

Abdullahi described the report as “fake news” engineered to create confusion within the party.

He emphasised that the ratification of state leadership is an internal party process governed by its constitution.

Abdullahi explained that INEC will only recognise submissions made through proper channels after due diligence.

He said, “The attention of the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been drawn to a widely circulated statement titled ‘Coalition Update: INEC Confirms ADC State Chairmen Nationwide,’ which purports that the Independent National Electoral Commission has released and validated a list of State Party Chairmen for the ADC across the country.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission, to the best of our knowledge and verification, has issued no such confirmation, neither officially nor unofficially.

“INEC only recognises what the party submits through the appropriate channels after due process. As of today, no such comprehensive list has been submitted or confirmed by INEC.”

The spokesman reiterated the party’s commitment to internal democracy and discipline, advising stakeholders to remain vigilant against misinformation.

This comes as the party is resolving internal tensions, including a leadership tussle after INEC recently recognised former Senate President David Mark as ADC national chairman.

Recently, the court has summoned Mark and the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, over disputes regarding the party’s leadership changes.

However, ADC has denied claims of a court injunction barring INEC from recognising the Mark-led faction, labelling such reports as additional fake news from “desperate political jobbers.”