INEC Denies ‘Smuggled’ Candidate Claims, Says NDC Submitted Names Itself
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that it removed validly nominated candidates of the party for some State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra and Benue States and replaced them with unauthorised names.
INEC described the allegations as unfounded, insisting that political parties have exclusive responsibility for nominating their candidates for elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of the Commission’s Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), INEC said it has no legal authority to select, insert or substitute candidates on behalf of any political party.
The Commission explained that its role in monitoring party primaries is limited to statutory oversight and does not give it the power to impose or choose candidates for political parties.
According to INEC, ahead of the 2027 general elections, all 22 registered political parties nominated two technically trained officials to manage their candidate nomination processes after participating in training organised by the Commission.
It added that portal access codes were subsequently issued directly to the National Chairmen of the respective parties in person and not through proxies.
INEC further stated that candidate lists were generated from information submitted by the parties through the EC9 series (Forms A-G), jointly signed by the National Chairmen and National Secretaries.
The Commission therefore dismissed claims that it independently uploaded, altered or substituted candidate information submitted by the NDC or any other political party.
INEC said it has in its possession Form EC9E containing the names of the candidates in question, which was duly submitted and signed by the NDC National Chairman and National Secretary.
The electoral body reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and ensuring a level playing field for all political parties and other stakeholders in the electoral process.
