2027: INEC Denies ‘Smuggling’ Non-NDC Candidates for Assembly Seats

By Peter Emmanuel |

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied allegations that it removed validly nominated candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and replaced them with unauthorised names ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Commission described the allegation by the leadership of the NDC as unfounded, insisting that political parties have the exclusive responsibility for nominating their candidates for elections.

INEC said it has no legal authority to select, insert or substitute candidates for any political party, adding that its role in party primaries is limited to statutory monitoring and oversight.

The Commission made its position known in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC).

INEC said its candidate nomination process for the 2027 elections was designed to ensure that political parties directly control the submission of their candidates.

It therefore rejected any suggestion that it independently uploaded, altered or substituted information submitted by the NDC.

INEC Says Candidate Nomination Is Solely Parties’ Responsibility

INEC said candidate nomination is, by law, the exclusive responsibility of political parties and does not fall within the Commission’s powers.

According to the Commission, monitoring a party’s primary election is a statutory oversight responsibility and does not give INEC the authority to choose or impose candidates on any party.

The Commission said all 22 registered political parties designated two technically trained officers to manage their nomination processes ahead of the 2027 elections.

It added that the officers received training organised by INEC to prepare them for the electronic nomination process.

Following the training, the Commission said portal access codes were issued directly and in person to the National Chairmen of the respective political parties.

INEC stressed that the access codes were not issued to proxies, reinforcing its position that the parties themselves were responsible for managing and submitting their candidate information.

Commission Denies Altering or Uploading NDC Candidate Information

INEC said candidate lists were generated based on information submitted by the political parties through the designated process.

It explained that the lists were jointly signed by the National Chairmen and National Secretaries of the respective parties before being submitted to the Commission through Form EC9 series (A-G).

The Commission said the process made any claim that INEC independently uploaded or altered candidate information unfounded and untrue.

Specifically addressing the NDC allegation, INEC said it has in its possession Form EC9E containing the names of the candidates in question.

The Commission said the form was duly submitted and signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the party.

INEC said the document provides evidence of the candidate information submitted by the party and further contradicts the allegation that the Commission independently replaced or inserted candidates.

INEC Reaffirms Commitment to Transparent 2027 Elections

The Commission said it remained committed to transparency and accountability in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC said it would continue to provide a level playing field for political parties and other stakeholders participating in the electoral process.

The Commission’s response comes amid growing preparations by political parties for the 2027 elections, including the nomination and submission of candidates for various elective positions.

It urged stakeholders to rely on the established electoral procedures and official records when raising concerns about candidate nominations.

INEC maintained that political parties remain responsible for the candidates they nominate and submit through the prescribed process.

The Commission reiterated that its role is to administer and regulate the electoral process in accordance with the law, while ensuring transparency and fairness for all participating parties.