INEC Fires Back at NDC Over ‘Smuggled Candidates’ Allegation, Puts Responsibility on Party Leadership

The Independent National Electoral Commission has rejected allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress that its candidates were allegedly removed from the 2027 election records and replaced with names not authorised by the party.

In a strongly worded response, INEC said the allegation concerning some State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra and Benue States was unfounded, insisting that candidate nomination is fundamentally the responsibility of political parties and not the electoral commission.

The Commission said it has no legal power to manufacture, impose, insert or substitute candidates for political parties. According to INEC, its involvement in party primaries is restricted to statutory monitoring and oversight, and does not extend to determining who emerges as a party’s candidate.

INEC also disclosed that all 22 registered political parties prepared for the 2027 nomination exercise by designating two technically trained officers, who underwent training organised by the Commission. The parties’ National Chairmen were subsequently given direct access codes to the nomination portal.

The electoral body said candidate information was submitted by the parties through the prescribed process and jointly signed by their National Chairmen and National Secretaries in the relevant EC9 forms.

It therefore dismissed any suggestion that INEC independently uploaded or altered the candidates’ information, describing such a claim as “unfounded and untrue.”

Further reinforcing its position, the Commission said it possesses the relevant Form EC9E, containing the disputed candidates’ names as submitted and duly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the party.

INEC said it remains committed to transparency, accountability and a level playing field ahead of the 2027 elections.