2027 Elections: INEC Probes Alleged ‘Strange Names’ in NDC Candidate List

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun examining its records after the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) alleged that unauthorised names were uploaded as its candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The dispute centres mainly on several Anambra State House of Assembly constituencies, where the NDC claims candidates it did not nominate or approve were published on INEC’s candidate list. The party has accused the commission of removing its genuine nominees and replacing them with people it does not recognise.

INEC, however, has rejected the allegation that its officials nominated or substituted candidates for the political party. The commission said its records, including electronic audit trails from the candidate nomination portal, can establish how and when the names in question were submitted.

Adedayo Oketola, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the commission’s chairman, said political parties—not INEC—are responsible for nominating their candidates. He said the commission only administers the electoral process in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and other applicable regulations.

“INEC does not nominate candidates for political parties,” Oketola said, stressing that parties submit candidate details through the commission’s nomination portal using credentials issued to them. He added that activities on the platform are electronically recorded, making it possible to trace the source and history of entries.

Oketola also dismissed any suggestion that INEC’s monitoring of party primaries gives the commission the power to select candidates. He explained that monitoring a primary is a statutory responsibility and does not transfer the party’s authority to nominate candidates to INEC.

The commission spokesman described the NDC’s claim that officials obtained Form EC9 directly from aspirants and uploaded their details without party approval as a serious allegation. He said INEC would examine records relating to the constituencies identified by the party and urged the NDC to provide evidence and details of any officials allegedly involved.

The NDC, led by National Chairman Moses Cleopas, had called for an urgent investigation after alleging that unfamiliar names appeared as its candidates in Anambra. The party specifically listed names linked to constituencies including Onitsha South 1 and 2, Orumba North, Anaocha 1, Idemili North, Njikoka 1, Nnewi South, Nnewi South 2, Ayamelum and Dunukofia.

Cleopas said the development was especially troubling because Anambra is the home state of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi. The NDC further alleged that similar incidents had occurred in other states, including Benue and Imo, and called on INEC to investigate whether its candidate lists had been altered elsewhere.

INEC said it has no interest in determining which candidates political parties field in elections and maintained that any dispute over nominations, appeals or changes to party primaries must be handled under the Electoral Act and other relevant laws. The commission also urged political parties to follow the prescribed nomination procedures, use the candidate portal properly and meet statutory deadlines.