The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that it removed the party’s validly nominated candidates for some State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra and Benue States and replaced them with unauthorised names.
In a statement issued Tuesday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, the Commission described the allegations as “unfounded,” insisting that the nomination of candidates is exclusively the responsibility of political parties and that INEC has no legal authority to select, insert or substitute candidates for any party.
INEC said its role in party primaries is limited to statutory monitoring and oversight, which does not confer on the Commission the power to choose or impose candidates on political parties.
The Commission further disclosed that, ahead of the 2027 general election, all 22 registered political parties designated two technically trained officers to manage their candidate nomination processes after undergoing training organised by INEC.
According to the Commission, portal access codes were subsequently issued directly to the national chairmen of the respective parties, in person and not through proxies.
INEC said candidate lists were generated from submissions made by the political parties through the nomination portal and were jointly signed by their national chairmen and national secretaries using Form EC9 series (A-G).
It therefore rejected claims that it independently uploaded, altered or substituted candidate information submitted by the NDC.
The Commission said it is in possession of Form EC9E containing the names of the candidates in question, adding that the document was duly signed and submitted by the NDC’s 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 reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and ensuring a level playing field for all political parties and other stakeholders in the electoral process.
