INEC urges NDC to produce evidence of candidates’ substitution allegation

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that it removed some of the party’s candidates for the 2027 general elections and substituted them with names not known to the party.

The controversy particularly hinged on some State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra state, where the NDC alleged that its candidates were supplanted on the list published by the commission.

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, who reacted to the allegation told newsmen that the commission had no role in nominating candidates for political parties.

According to him, candidate nomination remained the responsibility of political parties, provided they complied with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and other relevant laws, regulations and guidelines.

Oketola described as particularly serious the NDC’s allegation that some INEC officials allegedly bypassed the party and obtained Form EC9 directly from individual aspirants or candidates before uploading their details without the party’s authorisation.

He challenged the NDC to substantiate the allegation by providing evidence linking any INEC official to such unauthorised interference in the party’s candidate nomination process.

The commission also asked the NDC to provide the identities and other relevant particulars of any officials it believes were involved in the alleged misconduct.

INEC said it would investigate any credible complaint against its officials in line with established procedures.

The commission maintained that while political parties are responsible for presenting their candidates, INEC’s role is to receive and publish nominations in accordance with the law and applicable electoral guidelines.

The development came after the NDC allegedly accused the commission of systematically removing candidates submitted by the party for the 2027 elections and substituting them with names allegedly unfamiliar to its leadership.