The Independent National Electoral Commission has asked the Nigeria Democratic Congress to provide evidence to support its allegation that unknown candidates were allegedly inserted into the party’s list for some State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Vanguard, Dayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the demand while speaking with our correspondent on Monday.
Oketola said the Commission was prepared to examine the allegations but would require credible evidence and details of any INEC officials allegedly involved in the purported manipulation.
“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. If the party has evidence implicating any official of the Commission in any unauthorised interference with its candidate nomination process, it should make such evidence and the particulars of the officials concerned available to the Commission”.
He stressed that INEC does not have the authority to nominate candidates for political parties or replace candidates chosen by them.
“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,”
According to him, the Commission “does not possess the legal authority to select a candidate for a political party or substitute its own preferred candidate for a person validly nominated by a political party in accordance with the law.”
Oketola explained that political parties submit candidates’ details through INEC’s electronic nomination portal using access credentials provided to them.
He said the system automatically maintains electronic records and an audit trail, making it possible to establish when, how and from where entries were submitted.
He therefore described the NDC’s claim that INEC officials collected Form EC9 directly from aspirants and uploaded their details without the party’s approval as a serious allegation that could nevertheless be verified through the Commission’s records.
“Such an allegation is capable of objective verification from the Commission’s electronic and documentary records,” he said.
The INEC spokesperson also clarified that monitoring political party primaries does not give the electoral body the power to determine who emerges as a party’s candidate.
“The Commission’s monitoring of a political party primary does not amount to nomination of a candidate by INEC. Neither does a report made by officials who monitor a primary confer upon the Commission the power to choose a candidate for the political party,”
He added that disagreements over the outcome of party primaries and related appeals must be handled in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026.
Oketola maintained that INEC has no interest in determining which candidates political parties present for elections, saying its role is limited to conducting elections fairly and in accordance with the law.
“It is important, however, to emphasise that the Commission has no institutional interest in the choice of candidate made by any political party. Its responsibility is to administer the electoral process impartially and in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and applicable Regulations and Guidelines,”
He further said political parties must ensure that their nomination exercises, internal appeal processes and submissions through the INEC portal comply with relevant laws and deadlines.
Oketola assured that the Commission would investigate any credible allegation of wrongdoing involving its officials.
“The Commission will neither nominate candidates for political parties nor lend itself to the imposition of candidates on any political party,” he said.
