The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have clashed over the alleged replacement of the party’s candidates for the 2027 State House of Assembly elections, with the opposition party accusing the electoral body of uploading names it did not nominate.
The NDC alleged that several names published by INEC, particularly in Anambra State, were not authorised by the party and accused unnamed officials of attempting to impose “strange” candidates on the party ahead of the elections.
The party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, raised the allegation on Sunday following INEC’s publication of candidates for the 2027 State Houses of Assembly elections.
Zuwoghe said the names published in Anambra included individuals who were neither nominated nor authorised by the party.
He listed names appearing against constituencies including Onitsha South 1, Onitsha South 2, Orumba North, Anaocha 1, Idemili North, Njikoka 1, Nnewi South, Nnewi South 2, Ayamelum and Dunukofia.
According to him, the development could undermine the party’s preparations for the elections and create confusion among its supporters.
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The NDC chairman said the party had concluded its primaries and appeal process before arriving at what he described as an agreed final list of candidates.
He alleged that the list was subsequently uploaded to the INEC portal using access credentials issued to the party.
Zuwoghe claimed that INEC officials later kept some of the party’s candidates on “Pending” status, while names the party said it had not nominated remained on the commission’s system.
He further alleged that the commission collected Form EC-9 directly from some of the disputed individuals and uploaded the forms without going through the party.
The NDC chairman described the development as an attempt to embarrass the party and vowed to challenge it through legal means.
“We are moving to approach the court of competent jurisdiction to seek redress and restore our authentic candidates,” he said.
The party also called for an investigation into the process and urged INEC to examine similar complaints in other states, including Benue and Imo.
INEC Rejects Allegation
Reacting to the allegations, INEC said it did not change the NDC’s candidates and has no power to nominate candidates on behalf of political parties.
Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, said the commission’s role is limited to receiving and processing candidates submitted by political parties in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and other applicable regulations.
He said political parties submit candidates’ particulars through INEC’s candidate nomination portal using credentials issued to them.
According to him, all activities carried out on the portal are electronically recorded, creating an audit trail that can establish when and from where candidate information was submitted.
“The Commission does not possess the legal authority to select a candidate for a political party or substitute its own preferred candidate for a person validly nominated by a political party in accordance with the law,” Oketola said.
He maintained that INEC’s monitoring of political party primaries should not be confused with the nomination of candidates.
Oketola said reports submitted by INEC officials who monitor party primaries do not give the commission the authority to choose candidates for political parties.
“INEC cannot assume the role of a political party in choosing its candidates, nor can it disregard applicable statutory requirements governing the nomination and submission of candidates,” he said.
He added that any credible allegation of misconduct involving an INEC official would be investigated in line with established procedures.
The commission also urged political parties to ensure that their nomination processes, internal appeals, candidate submissions and use of the nomination portal comply with legal requirements and prescribed deadlines.
INEC said legitimate concerns over candidate nominations would be addressed through its records and the applicable law, rather than speculation.
The dispute now leaves the question of how the disputed names entered the electoral commission’s system at the centre of the controversy, with the NDC insisting that it did not nominate the individuals while INEC says its electronic records can establish the source and history of every candidate entry.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.