The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of allegedly removing candidates nominated by the party for the 2027 general elections and replacing them with names it described as unknown and unauthorised.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the party’s National Chairman, Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, alleged that the names published by INEC appeared to be part of a deliberate attempt to undermine the NDC and create dissatisfaction among its supporters.
The party particularly raised concerns over the publication of 10 names as its candidates for the Anambra State House of Assembly, insisting that the individuals were neither nominated nor authorised by the NDC.
Zuwoghe called on the INEC Chairman to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding the publication of the controversial names. He also urged the commission to extend the investigation to other constituencies, including Benue and Imo states, where the party claimed similar irregularities had been observed.
According to the NDC, the controversy began after the conclusion of its primaries and appeal process, when stakeholders produced a final list of candidates allegedly endorsed by party leaders, representatives of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and members of the party’s appeals panel.
The party alleged that after the list was uploaded to the INEC portal, nine names were placed on pending status because the commission’s system allegedly contained different names submitted by officials who monitored the party’s primaries.
The NDC claimed it formally appealed the matter and submitted the names of candidates it said were genuinely nominated through its internal process. However, it alleged that INEC proceeded to publish the disputed names despite its objections.
Zuwoghe further alleged that INEC officials collected Form EC-9 directly from the affected candidates without going through the party before uploading and publishing their names as the NDC’s candidates.
The party described the development as a violation of the Electoral Act and INEC’s guidelines, insisting that the commission had no authority to impose candidates on a political party.
The NDC said it had commenced an independent investigation into the matter, while calling on INEC to urgently address the allegations and review the disputed candidate lists ahead of the 2027 general elections.
