By Emma Peter, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that it removed the party’s duly nominated candidates for some State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra and Benue States and replaced them with names not authorised by the party.
The Commission described the allegation as unfounded, stressing that political parties, and not INEC, have the sole responsibility for nominating candidates for elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the electoral body clarified that its role during party primaries is limited to statutory monitoring and oversight.
Haruna explained that monitoring a party’s primary does not confer on the Commission the power to select, insert or substitute candidates on behalf of any political party.
According to him, preparations for the 2027 general elections included measures designed to ensure that parties independently manage and submit their candidate information through an established nomination process.
He said all 22 registered political parties nominated two technically trained officials to manage their candidate nomination processes after undergoing training organised by INEC.
The Commission further disclosed that portal access codes were handed directly to the National Chairmen of the respective parties, rather than through proxies, to facilitate the submission of candidates.
Haruna said the candidate lists received by INEC were generated from submissions made by the political parties and jointly signed by their National Chairmen and National Secretaries through the relevant Form EC9 series.
He maintained that the process made it impossible for the Commission to independently upload or alter a party’s candidate information, describing such claims as “unfounded and untrue.”
Specifically addressing the disputed candidates, the Commission said it has in its custody Form EC9E containing the names of the affected candidates as submitted to INEC and duly endorsed by the NDC National Chairman and National Secretary.
INEC therefore urged political parties and other stakeholders to rely on documented records and established procedures when raising concerns about the nomination process.
The electoral body reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability and fairness, assuring stakeholders that it would continue to provide a level playing field for all participants ahead of the 2027 elections.
