The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed as unfounded allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that the Commission removed the party’s validly nominated candidates for certain State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra and Benue States and replaced them with unauthorised names.
In a press statement issued by the Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, on Tuesday 1st September, 2026, the Commission clarified that candidate nomination is, by law, the exclusive responsibility of political parties, and that INEC has no legal authority to select, insert, or substitute a candidate for any party.
The National Commissioner explained that the Commission’s role in monitoring party primaries is a statutory oversight function only, and does not confer on INEC any power to choose or impose a candidate.
According to him, ahead of the 2027 general election, all 22 registered political parties designated two technically trained officers to handle their nomination process, following training organised by the Commission.
Commissioner Haruna said the portal access codes were thereafter issued directly and in person to each party’s National Chairman, and not by proxy.
He added that the list of candidates for each party was generated as submitted by the party, jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary, in line with Form EC9 series (A–G).
“Therefore any claim that the Commission independently uploaded or altered candidate information is unfounded and untrue,” the statement said.
Commissioner Haruna disclosed that the INEC is in possession of Form EC9E, on which the candidates in question were listed and submitted to INEC, duly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the party.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and a level playing field for all stakeholders in the electoral process.
