INEC Rejects NDC Claim Of ‘Smuggled’ Candidates, Says Party Submitted Names

INEC Rejects NDC Claim Of ‘Smuggled’ Candidates, Says Party Submitted Names

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that it secretly replaced the party’s duly nominated candidates with unauthorised names ahead of the 2027 elections.

The dispute centres on candidates for some State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra and Benue States, with the NDC accusing the electoral commission of interfering in its nominations.

But INEC said candidate nomination remains the exclusive responsibility of political parties and that the commission has no legal power to select, insert or substitute candidates for any party.

In a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission said all 22 registered parties were trained on the nomination process and each designated two technically trained officials to manage its submissions.

INEC said portal access codes were issued personally to each party’s national chairman, while candidate lists were submitted through Form EC9 series (A-G) and jointly signed by the national chairman and national secretary.

“Therefore, any claim that the Commission independently uploaded or altered candidate information is unfounded and untrue,” INEC said.

The commission added that it was in possession of Form EC9E, listing the disputed candidates and bearing the signatures of the NDC’s national chairman and national secretary.

The statement effectively shifts the focus of the controversy from alleged INEC interference to the records submitted by the political party itself.

INEC said it remained committed to transparency, accountability and ensuring a level playing field for all participants in the 2027 electoral process.