The Independent National Electoral Commission has challenged the Nigeria Democratic Congress to back up its allegation that some candidates were secretly inserted into its list for State House of Assembly seats in Anambra State.
The allegation comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the NDC claiming that unknown candidates were included in its submitted list without the party’s authorisation.
Reacting to the development on Monday, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Dayo Oketola, said the commission was prepared to examine the matter once the party provides evidence and identifies any officials allegedly involved.
He said, “Rather than make categorical assertions on matters that can readily be established from those records, the Commission will examine the relevant records relating to the constituencies identified by the NDC. If the party has evidence implicating any official of the Commission in any unauthorised interference with its candidate nomination process, it should make such evidence and the particulars of the officials concerned available to the Commission”.
Oketola rejected any suggestion that INEC could independently determine candidates for political parties, explaining that parties are responsible for choosing and submitting their candidates in accordance with electoral laws.
“For the avoidance of doubt, INEC does not nominate candidates for political parties. The nomination of candidates is the responsibility of political parties, subject to compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and other applicable laws, Regulations and Guidelines,” he said.
He added that the commission “does not possess the legal authority to select a candidate for a political party or substitute its own preferred candidate for a person validly nominated by a political party in accordance with the law.”
According to him, the electronic nomination platform provides a means of establishing what happened to any candidate record submitted by a political party.
He explained that political parties use credentials issued to them to upload candidates’ information, while the system automatically keeps electronic records showing the origin and history of entries.
Oketola therefore said the allegation that INEC officials collected Form EC9 from aspirants and uploaded their details without the party’s consent could be investigated through the commission’s records.
Describing the allegation as “particularly serious”, he said, “Such an allegation is capable of objective verification from the Commission’s electronic and documentary records,”
He further explained that INEC’s role in observing party primaries should not be mistaken for involvement in the selection of candidates.
“The Commission’s monitoring of a political party primary does not amount to nomination of a candidate by INEC. Neither does a report made by officials who monitor a primary confer upon the Commission the power to choose a candidate for the political party,” he said.
Oketola said disagreements over who legitimately won a party primary, including issues arising from appeals, should be addressed under the Electoral Act 2026.
He maintained that the commission had no preferred candidate in any political party and would continue to carry out its duties without taking sides.
“It is important, however, to emphasise that the Commission has no institutional interest in the choice of candidate made by any political party. Its responsibility is to administer the electoral process impartially and in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and applicable Regulations and Guidelines,” he said.
He also reminded political parties that they are responsible for ensuring that their nomination processes, internal dispute mechanisms and use of the INEC portal follow the required rules and deadlines.
The commission, he assured, would investigate any credible evidence of misconduct involving its officials.
“The Commission will neither nominate candidates for political parties nor lend itself to the imposition of candidates on any political party,” Oketola stated.