The Independent National Electoral Commission has begun reviewing its records to establish how candidates allegedly unknown to the Nigeria Democratic Congress appeared on the party’s list for the 2027 general elections.
The Punch reported that the investigation follows allegations by the NDC that names of individuals it did not nominate or authorise were uploaded and published as its candidates in several state House of Assembly constituencies, particularly in Anambra State.
The party had accused INEC of removing candidates it legitimately nominated and replacing them with individuals it said were not recognised by the party.
However, INEC rejected the allegation, insisting that it has no authority to nominate candidates for political parties or replace candidates validly submitted by them.
INEC Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the commission’s role was limited to administering the electoral process in line with the law.
“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,” he said.
Oketola explained that political parties nominate their candidates and submit their details through INEC’s candidate nomination portal, using access credentials provided by the commission.
He said every activity conducted on the portal was electronically recorded, making it possible for the commission to trace how and when information relating to any candidate was submitted.
“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.
He maintained that allegations that INEC officials “smuggled” candidates into the NDC’s list should be determined through documentary and electronic evidence rather than speculation.
According to him, INEC officials monitoring political party primaries do not acquire the power to select candidates for the parties.
“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 said.
He added that disputes concerning the outcome of party primaries, appeals arising from such processes or attempts to alter the results must be addressed under the Electoral Act 2026 and other relevant laws.
“INEC cannot assume the role of a political party in choosing its candidates, nor can it disregard applicable statutory requirements governing the nomination and submission of candidates,” he stated.
On the NDC’s claim that INEC officials obtained Form EC9 directly from aspirants and subsequently uploaded their details without the party’s approval, Oketola described the allegation as serious.
He said the commission would rely on its electronic and documentary records to determine what happened.
“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.
Oketola also asked the NDC to submit evidence and provide details of any INEC officials allegedly involved in unauthorised interference with its nomination process.
He assured that credible allegations of misconduct against commission officials would be investigated through the appropriate procedures.
According to him, INEC has no interest in determining which candidates political parties should field.
“Its responsibility is to administer the electoral process impartially and in accordance with the constitution, the Electoral Act and applicable regulations and guidelines,” he said.
The commission further reminded political parties that they were responsible for conducting their nomination processes, handling internal appeals and submitting candidates through the designated portal within the required timelines.
Oketola assured stakeholders that INEC would continue to manage the candidate nomination process transparently and impartially.
“The Commission will neither nominate candidates for political parties nor lend itself to the imposition of candidates on any political party,” Oketola said.
The controversy began after the NDC alleged in a post on X that INEC and some of its officials had uploaded and published unauthorised names as the party’s candidates in some Anambra State constituencies.
The party claimed that 10 names it neither nominated nor submitted to INEC appeared on the commission’s published list for various House of Assembly constituencies.
The NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, said the development was particularly troubling because Anambra is the home state of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The party alleged that its nominated candidates had been systematically removed and replaced with individuals it described as imposters allegedly selected outside its nomination process.
The names listed by the NDC included Umennaajiego Jude Ezenwa for Onitsha South 1; Akpotue Obinna Chibuike for Onitsha South 2; Nwankwo Chiemerie for Orumba North; Maduagwu Eric K for Anaocha 1; Ngoebisi Obinna for Idemili North; Isintume Charles for Njikoka 1; Nwachukwu Nonso for Nnewi South; Okeke Ifeanyi Akunne for Nnewi South 2; Nnonyelu Samson E for Ayamelum; and Azotani Chuks Francis for Dunukofia.
Cleopas called on the INEC chairman to immediately investigate the matter and determine how the names were included in the party’s candidate list.
“We call on the INEC chairman to urgently and immediately cause an investigation into the matter and unravel how this came to be,” it said.
The NDC also urged the commission to extend the investigation to other states, including Benue and Imo, where it claimed to have detected similar cases involving the replacement of its authentic candidates with what it described as INEC-selected imposters.
