NDC Chairman Alleges Forgery Of INEC Form, Calls For Police Probe In Plateau
By Comfort Pius, Jos
The Plateau State Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Comrade Solomon Ndam, has called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Plateau State Police Command to investigate the alleged forgery of an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) candidate substitution form in the party’s governorship candidacy dispute.
Ndam made the call on Monday, October 12, 2026, during a press briefing at the party’s secretariat in Jos, Plateau State, alleging that a disputed INEC Form EC11B bearing his name and passport photograph but containing a signature he disowned was used in an attempt to substitute the party’s governorship candidate with Jonathan Sunday Akuns.
The state chairman called for a comprehensive criminal investigation to establish the authenticity of the disputed document and identify anyone found to have been involved in its alleged forgery.
Ndam said he was elected as the NDC governorship candidate in Plateau State during the party’s primary election held on May 29 and 30, 2026, which he said was monitored by INEC and security agencies in the state.
According to him, he subsequently voluntarily withdrew from the race in deference to the zoning arrangement in Plateau State, paving the way for the party to conduct a substitution primary and present another candidate.
He said the substitution primary was held on September 15, 2026, in Jos, during which Engr. Alfred Ali Dapal emerged as the party’s candidate through affirmation.
However, Ndam alleged that the electoral committee sent from the party’s national headquarters abruptly left the venue during the exercise, creating what he described as an administrative vacuum.
He said he subsequently invoked Article 12(8)(iii) of the party’s constitution, which he interpreted as empowering the state leadership to safeguard the party’s interests and complete the nomination process under such circumstances.
Addressing the disputed document, Ndam insisted that he executed INEC Form EC11B exclusively in connection with Dapal’s candidacy.
“I executed INEC Form EC11B exclusively with Engr. Alfred Ali Dapal,” he said, alleging that another form bearing his name and photograph but containing a signature he did not authorise later surfaced in connection with an attempt to upload Akuns as the party’s governorship candidate.
Ndam maintained that he did not authorise the disputed signature and called on the police to investigate how the document was prepared and submitted, as well as identify those responsible if the alleged forgery was established.
He also cited Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2026, arguing that the substitution of a candidate without the withdrawing candidate’s signed consent could only take place under circumstances permitted by law.
The chairman maintained that he was alive and had not authorised the disputed substitution in favour of Akuns.
Ndam further disclosed that the Federal High Court had issued an order restraining Akuns from parading himself as the NDC governorship candidate pending the determination of the substantive suit filed by Dapal.
He said he would not pre-empt the court’s decision but considered it necessary to speak out because his name and personal integrity had allegedly been implicated in the disputed document.
The NDC chairman urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Plateau State Police Command to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that anyone found culpable was prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He stressed the need for political parties to adhere to constitutional procedures in selecting candidates, warning that alleged irregularities in electoral documentation could undermine public confidence in the democratic process.
Ndam also appealed to NDC members across the 17 local government areas of Plateau State to remain calm and committed to the party despite the dispute.
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to transparency and expressed support for its national leaders, Peter Obi and Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, while maintaining that the party remained committed to presenting a candidate through due process.
The allegations were contained in Ndam’s statement at the briefing. The responses of INEC, Akuns and other persons implicated were not included in the statement.