INEC rejects NDC claim of ‘smuggled’ candidates for 2027 polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed allegations that it altered the Nigeria Democratic Congress’ candidate list for the 2027 elections by replacing party nominees with names not authorised by the party.

The dispute centres mainly on several State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra State, where the NDC alleged that names of people it did not nominate appeared on INEC’s published list.

The party had accused commission officials of uploading the names without its approval, describing the development as an attempt to undermine its preparations for the elections.

NDC National Chairman, Moses Zuwoghe, said the alleged substitution was particularly troubling because Anambra is the home state of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

However, INEC said it neither selects candidates for political parties nor has the legal power to replace nominees validly submitted by them.

The commission’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said candidate nomination remains the responsibility of political parties, subject to the Constitution, Electoral Act 2026 and relevant regulations.

“INEC does not nominate candidates for political parties,” Oketola said.

He explained that parties submit candidates’ details through INEC’s electronic nomination portal using credentials issued by the commission, adding that every transaction on the platform leaves an electronic record.

As a result, he said, the commission could establish from its records how and by whom any disputed candidate information was entered.

Oketola also dismissed any suggestion that INEC’s monitoring of party primaries gives it the authority to select winners or nominate candidates.

He said officials assigned to monitor a primary merely perform a statutory duty and cannot determine who represents a political party.

“Neither does a report made by officials who monitor a primary confer upon the Commission the power to choose a candidate for the political party,” he said.

On the NDC’s specific allegation that officials obtained Form EC9 from individual aspirants and uploaded their details without the party’s approval, Oketola described the accusation as serious but said it could be tested against the commission’s electronic and documentary records.

He said INEC would review records relating to the constituencies identified by the NDC and urged the party to submit evidence and identify any officials it believed were involved.

According to him, any credible allegation of misconduct by an INEC official would be investigated through the appropriate procedures.

The NDC had listed several names it claimed were unlawfully published as its candidates in Anambra, including nominees for constituencies in Onitsha South, Orumba North, Anaocha, Idemili North, Njikoka, Nnewi South, Ayamelum and Dunukofia.

The party alleged that the development was part of a wider attempt to frustrate its participation in the 2027 elections, claiming that similar incidents had occurred in Benue and Imo states.

Zuwoghe therefore called on INEC Chairman to launch an immediate investigation into the disputed names and determine how they appeared on the commission’s candidate list.

But Oketola maintained that INEC had no interest in determining which individuals represent political parties and would administer the nomination process based on the law and verifiable records.

He further reminded political parties that they were responsible for conducting their internal nomination processes, resolving internal appeals and ensuring that candidate details submitted through the INEC portal complied with prescribed requirements and deadlines.

The commission assured political parties and candidates that the nomination process would be handled impartially, while legitimate complaints would be examined using available records and the applicable electoral laws.