2027: INEC Denies Replacing NDC Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has rejected allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, that it removed some of the party’s candidates for the 2027 elections and replaced them with names that were not approved by the party.

The dispute centres mainly on several State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra State, where the NDC claimed that names of people who did not emerge through its nomination process were published as its candidates.

INEC responded to the allegation on Monday through its Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, who said the commission had no power under the law to nominate candidates for political parties.

Oketola explained that political parties are responsible for selecting and submitting their candidates, while INEC’s duty is to manage the electoral process based on the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and other relevant rules.

He said political parties submit candidate information through INEC’s online nomination portal using access details provided by the commission. According to him, activities carried out on the platform are recorded electronically, making it possible to trace when and how information concerning a candidate was entered.

INEC therefore rejected the suggestion that its officials could secretly replace a party’s candidates with people of their choice. The commission said any dispute over the names appearing on the portal could be checked through its electronic records and documents.

The NDC had earlier accused INEC of publishing unauthorised candidates in some constituencies, particularly in Anambra, the home state of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The party claimed that several names published by INEC were not among the candidates produced through its primaries and subsequent appeal process.

The NDC National Chairman, Moses Zuwoghe, said the party had completed its internal nomination procedures before submitting its final list to INEC.

According to the party, some of its candidates remained marked as pending on the INEC portal even after the NDC submitted what it considered its final and approved list.

The party alleged that INEC officials later accepted candidate forms directly from some individuals and published their names without obtaining approval from the NDC leadership.

INEC, however, said monitoring a political party’s primary election does not give the commission the right to select candidates for that party.

The commission explained that its officials attend party primaries to perform statutory monitoring duties and that reports from such officials cannot automatically turn an individual into a party candidate.

INEC added that questions over who properly emerged from a primary, whether an appeal changed the outcome or whether a party lawfully altered its candidate list must be handled according to the Electoral Act and other applicable regulations.

The commission also responded to the NDC’s claim that some candidates submitted their Form EC9 directly to INEC.

Oketola described the allegation as a matter that could be checked from the commission’s records. He said INEC would examine the relevant electronic and documentary evidence concerning the constituencies mentioned by the NDC.

The commission also called on the NDC to submit evidence and identify any INEC officials it believes were involved in unauthorised interference with its nomination process.

INEC said credible complaints against its personnel would be investigated through the appropriate procedures.

The commission maintained that it has no interest in determining which candidates political parties field for elections and said its responsibility is to conduct the electoral process fairly and in line with the law.

INEC also reminded political parties that they have a duty to follow the required procedures when conducting primaries, handling appeals, submitting candidates and using the commission’s nomination portal.

The electoral body assured political parties and other stakeholders that concerns about the candidate nomination process would be dealt with using available records and the provisions of the law.

Meanwhile, the NDC has maintained its position that some of the names published by INEC are not its candidates.

The party identified several disputed names in Anambra State, including candidates listed for Onitsha South, Orumba North, Anaocha, Idemili North, Njikoka, Nnewi South, Ayamelum and Dunukofia constituencies.

The NDC has called for an investigation into the matter and said similar issues should be examined in other states, including Benue and Imo, where it claims to have noticed related problems.

The disagreement between the party and INEC comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections, with the nomination and publication of candidates forming an important part of the electoral process.