INEC Denies Smuggling NDC Candidates Into Assembly races, Gives Explaination

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that it removed the party’s validly nominated candidates for some State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra and Benue States and replaced them with unauthorised names.

INEC, in a statement by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, described the allegations as “unfounded.”

The Commission stressed that candidate nomination was the exclusive responsibility of political parties, adding that it had no legal authority to select, insert or substitute candidates for any party.

“Monitoring a party’s primary is a statutory oversight function only and confers no power on INEC to choose or impose a candidate,” the Commission said.

INEC explained that ahead of the 2027 general elections, all 22 registered political parties designated two technically trained officers to handle their nomination processes after training organised by the Commission.

According to the electoral body, portal access codes were subsequently issued directly to the national chairmen of the parties, rather than through proxies.

It added that candidate lists were generated based on submissions made by the parties and jointly signed by their national chairmen and secretaries in Form EC9 series (A-G).

“Therefore, any claim that the Commission independently uploaded or altered candidate information is unfounded and untrue,” INEC said.

The Commission further stated that it had in its possession Form EC9E containing the names of the candidates in question, duly signed and submitted by the NDC’s National Chairman and National Secretary.

INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders in the electoral process.