INEC denies NDC’s allegations, says it has no power to substitute candidates
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it did not change the house of assembly candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
On Sunday, the NDC accused INEC of removing its nominated candidates for the 2027 state assembly elections and replacing them with “impostors”.
Moses Zuwoghe, national chairman of NDC, said the list of Anambra candidates for state assembly elections published by INEC contained 10 “strange names”.
Reacting in a chat on Monday, Adedayo Oketola, chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, described the allegations as “serious”, saying INEC does not nominate candidates for political parties.
He said the responsibility for nominating candidates rests with political parties, subject to the constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and other applicable laws, regulations and guidelines.
“The Commission does not possess the legal authority to select a candidate for a political party or substitute its own preferred candidate for a person validly nominated by a political party in accordance with the law,” Oketola told TheCable.
Oketola said political parties submit their candidates’ particulars through INEC’s candidate nomination portal using access credentials issued for that purpose.
He said all activities relating to the submission of candidates through the portal are electronically recorded and can be verified through the commission’s records and audit trail.
The INEC spokesperson added that the records can establish the history and source of entries relating to any candidate whose name appears on the portal.
Oketola said the allegation by NDC should not be determined through speculation, noting that the commission’s electronic and documentary records can establish the relevant facts.
‘INEC CAN’T ASSUME ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES’
The INEC spokesperson also clarified that INEC’s responsibility to monitor political party primaries is separate from the parties’ responsibility to nominate and submit their candidates.
He said monitoring a party primary does not amount to INEC nominating a candidate, adding that reports by officials who monitor primaries do not give the commission the power to choose candidates for political parties.
“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 said.
“Any credible allegation of misconduct by an official of the Commission will be investigated in accordance with established procedures.”
Oketola said INEC has no institutional interest in political parties’ choice of candidates.
He added that political parties also have a responsibility to ensure that their nomination processes, internal appeals, submission of candidates and use of the commission’s candidate nomination portal comply with the law and prescribed timelines.
“The Commission will neither nominate candidates for political parties nor lend itself to the imposition of candidates on any political party,” Oketola said.
He said legitimate concerns about the candidate nomination process would be addressed based on the commission’s records and the applicable law.
