2027: INEC probes source of ‘strange’ names in NDC list

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is investigating how "strange" names allegedly appeared on the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) list of candidates for the 2027 general elections. NDC officials claim the names were not nominated or authorized by their party and were uploaded as candidates in several state House of Assembly constituencies, especially in Anambra State.

INEC denies the allegations and asserts it removed candidates nominated by the party and replaced them with names it did not recognize. INEC's Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, clarified that INEC does not have the authority to nominate candidates for political parties or substitute its preferred candidates.

He emphasized that the responsibility for candidate nomination lies with the political parties, subject to compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and other applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines. Oketola also explained that INEC's role is to administer the electoral process in accordance with the aforementioned legal frameworks and that all activities on the candidate nomination portal, provided by the commission, are electronically recorded and can be verified.

He stated that the allegation of INEC officials introducing or "smuggling" candidates into the NDC's list should be based on objective evidence from the commission's records and audit trail. Oketola stressed that the monitoring of political party primaries by INEC officials does not equate to the commission nominating a candidate for the party and that disputes over primary outcomes must be resolved within the Electoral Act 2026 and other applicable laws.