INEC rejects NDC claims of candidate substitution, says parties own nomination process
INEC has rejected allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that it removed the party's nominated candidates for State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra and Benue states and replaced them with unauthorized names. INEC spokesperson Mohammed Haruna stated the commission has no legal authority to select, insert, or substitute candidates for any political party, emphasizing that candidate nomination is exclusively the responsibility of parties themselves. The controversy centers on 10 specific candidates NDC claimed were unknown to the party—including Umennaaijiego Jude Ezenwa for Onitsha South I and Akpotue Obinna Chibuike for Onitsha South II—which INEC says were actually submitted by NDC through Form EC9E forms signed by the party's national chairman and secretary. INEC maintains it only uploads candidate lists arising from party primaries via its nomination portal, with access codes issued directly to national chairpersons. The dispute emerged as parties prepare for the 2027 general elections, with NDC threatening legal action to have what it calls 'imposters' removed from the lists. INEC says it possesses the signed Form EC9E proving the disputed candidates were submitted by NDC itself, rejecting claims of independent uploads or alterations. The commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and providing a level playing field for all stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.