The Nigeria Democratic Congress(NDC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of replacing some of its candidates with names allegedly not approved by the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party raised the concern on Sunday following INEC’s publication of candidates for the State Houses of Assembly elections.
NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, said the issue was particularly serious in Anambra State, the home state of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
According to him, nine names published by INEC as NDC candidates in Anambra were not nominated by the party.
The party said the disputed names did not emerge from its primaries or appeal process.
The affected constituencies include Onitsha South 1 and 2, Orumba North, Anaocha 1, Idemili North, Njikoka 1, Nnewi South 1 and 2, and Ayamelum.
Zuwoghe said the NDC had concluded its primaries and appeal process before submitting its final list to INEC.
He alleged that when the list was uploaded to the INEC portal, nine names remained on “Pending” status.
According to him, INEC officials told the party that the names were already in the commission’s system because they had allegedly been submitted by officials who monitored the party’s primaries.
The NDC rejected the names and formally complained to INEC.
Zuwoghe said the party also submitted the names of candidates it said were legitimately nominated through its internal process.
He, however, alleged that INEC later collected Form EC-9 directly from the disputed candidates and uploaded their details.
The NDC chairman said the disputed names were subsequently published by INEC as candidates of the party.
He called on the INEC Chairman to urgently investigate the matter and explain how the names entered the commission’s final list.
The party also alleged that similar issues had been noticed in Benue, Imo and other states.
Zuwoghe said the development had created confusion among the party’s supporters and could affect its preparations for the 2027 elections.
He stressed that the party’s demand was not only about the disputed names in Anambra but also about ensuring transparency in the candidate nomination process.
The NDC chairman said the party was conducting its own investigation and would pursue legal action if necessary.
He urged supporters and the public not to regard the disputed individuals as candidates endorsed by the NDC.
The allegations were contained in a statement signed by Zuwoghe. INEC’s response to the claims was not included in the statement.