INEC Denies Smuggling Candidates, Says Parties Solely Responsible For Nominations
By Sunday Etuka
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed as unfounded claims by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that the Commission removed its validly nominated candidates for State House of Assembly seats in Anambra and Benue States and replaced them with unauthorised names.
In a statement signed on Tuesday by INEC’s Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the electoral umpire said candidate nomination remains the exclusive responsibility of political parties under the law, and that the Commission has no legal power to select, insert, or substitute candidates on behalf of any party. It said its role in monitoring party primaries is strictly a statutory oversight function that confers no authority to choose or impose candidates.
The Commission explained that ahead of the 2027 general election, all 22 registered political parties nominated two technically trained officers to manage their nomination process, following training organised by INEC. Portal access codes were subsequently issued directly and in person to each party’s National Chairman only, it said.
According to INEC, candidate lists were generated strictly from submissions made by the parties themselves, jointly signed by their National Chairmen and National Secretaries on Form EC9 series (A–G). It said this made any suggestion that the Commission independently uploaded or altered candidate information both unfounded and untrue.
The Commission added that it holds Form EC9E documents listing the NDC’s candidates, duly signed by the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, as evidence that the submissions originated from the party itself.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and a level playing field for all stakeholders in the electoral process.
