The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has dismissed claims by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, that it removed the party’s nominated candidates for the 2027 General Election.

The allegation specifically mentioned some State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra State, where NDC claimed INEC replaced its candidates with names unknown to the party.

In a statement to our INEC Correspondent, Mie Ogidi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the claim is false.

Oketola explained that INEC does not nominate candidates for any political party. According to him, candidate nomination remains the sole responsibility of political parties, provided they comply with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and other relevant guidelines.

He described as “particularly serious” the NDC’s allegation that INEC officials went behind the party to collect Form EC9 directly from aspirants and uploaded their details without the party’s authorization.

INEC has now challenged the NDC to produce evidence of any official involved in such interference.

“Present such evidence and the particulars of the officials concerned to the Commission,” the statement said.

INEC added that any credible allegation of misconduct by its officials will be investigated according to established procedures.

Source: INEC