2027: INEC denies replacing NDC candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission has dismissed claims by the Nigeria Democratic Congress that it altered the party’s list of validly nominated candidates for state assembly seats ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the allegations as unfounded and untrue.

The controversy follows accusations by the NDC leadership alleging that the electoral body systematically removed authentic candidates nominated for specific State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra and Benue States and replaced them with unauthorized names.

Responding to the allegations, INEC clarified that candidate nomination is statutorily the exclusive preserve of political parties under the law, stressing that the commission possesses neither the legal mandate nor the mechanism to choose, insert, or substitute candidates for any political platform.

It further explained that monitoring party primary elections is merely a statutory oversight function that confers no authority on the umpire to impose candidates.

In a statement issued in Abuja by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the commission explained the safeguards built into its candidate nomination architecture to prevent unauthorized interference.

Haruna disclosed that ahead of the 2027 polls, each of the 22 registered political parties designated two technically trained officers to oversee candidate nominations following training conducted by the commission.

The electoral umpire emphasized that access credentials to the candidate nomination portal were handed over directly and in person to the respective national chairmen of all registered parties, rather than through proxies.

Refuting claims of unilateral alterations on its digital portal, INEC disclosed that all uploaded lists were derived strictly from statutory submissions endorsed by the parties’ national leaderships.

According to the commission, the submitted candidate rosters came through the Form EC9 series, ranging from A to G, making any claim of arbitrary tampering impossible.

The commission noted that it has in its custody the statutory Form EC9E containing the disputed names, which were officially submitted to INEC and jointly signed by both the National Chairman and National Secretary of the NDC.

Reiterating its neutrality, INEC reaffirmed its institutional commitment to transparency, accountability, and the provision of an equitable playing field for all political parties and stakeholders participating in the electoral process.