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The Nigeria Democratic Congress has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission of publishing unauthorised names as its candidates for the 2027 elections, an allegation the electoral body has rejected.
The NDC, in a statement by its national chairman Moses Zuwoghe, said nine names unknown to the party were uploaded and published as its candidates for some Anambra State House of Assembly constituencies.
The party said the affected constituencies include Onitsha South 1, Onitsha South 2, Orumba North, Anaocha 1, Idemili North, Njikoka 1, Nnewi South, Nnewi South 2, Ayamelum and Dunukofia.
Anambra is the home state of the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
INEC Chief Press Secretary Adedayo Oketola said the commission does not have the power to nominate candidates for political parties.
“For the avoidance of doubt, INEC does not nominate candidates for political parties. The nomination of candidates is the responsibility of political parties, subject to compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and other applicable laws, Regulations and Guidelines,” Oketola said.
He said all submissions made by political parties on the commission’s candidate nomination portal are electronically recorded and can be verified through the commission’s records and audit trail.
“It is therefore possible to establish objectively the history and source of entries relating to any candidate whose name appears on the portal,” Oketola said.
The NDC had alleged that INEC officials went behind the party to obtain Form EC9 directly from individual aspirants and uploaded their particulars without the party’s authorisation.
Oketola described the claim as serious but said it could be verified from the commission’s records.
“Rather than make categorical assertions on matters that can readily be established from those records, the Commission will examine the relevant records relating to the constituencies identified by the NDC,” he said.
He urged the NDC to provide the commission with evidence and details of any officials allegedly involved in unauthorised interference with its candidate nomination process.
