The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has denied allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, that it replaced the party’s candidates for the 2027 general elections with names not authorised by the party.
The allegation centres on nine State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra State, where the NDC claimed that unfamiliar names were published as its candidates.
NDC National Chairman, Moses Zuwoghe, had accused INEC officials of uploading the names without the party’s approval.
However, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the commission has no legal authority to nominate candidates for political parties or substitute candidates validly nominated by them.
He explained that candidate nomination remains the responsibility of political parties, subject to the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and relevant regulations and guidelines.
Oketola said candidates are submitted through INEC’s nomination portal using access credentials issued to political parties, adding that every activity on the platform is electronically recorded and can be verified through the commission’s audit trail.
He said the records would establish the source and history of entries relating to any disputed candidate.
The INEC spokesman also clarified that monitoring a political party’s primary does not give the commission the authority to select candidates for that party.
He said disputes over the outcome of party primaries, appeals or subsequent changes must be resolved in line with the Electoral Act and other applicable laws.
On the NDC’s allegation that INEC officials obtained Form EC9 directly from some candidates and uploaded their details without the party’s authorisation, Oketola described the claim as serious.
He said the commission would examine its electronic and documentary records relating to the affected constituencies to establish what transpired.
INEC maintained that it cannot assume the role of a political party in selecting candidates or disregard statutory requirements governing the nomination and submission of candidates.
