NDC Accuses INEC Of Substituting Candidates With ‘Unknown Names’
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of replacing some of the candidates it nominated for the 2027 elections with individuals the party says it neither nominated nor submitted.
The opposition party alleged that the disputed names were published by INEC as its candidates for various State House of Assembly constituencies, particularly in Anambra State, raising concerns over the integrity of the candidate nomination and upload process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, made the allegation in a statement personally signed by him on Sunday.
He described the development as an attempt to undermine the party and create confusion among its supporters, particularly in Anambra State, the home state of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The party claimed that nine names published by INEC for the Anambra State House of Assembly elections were not among the candidates it nominated after its primaries and appeals processes.
The disputed names, according to Cleopas, include Umennaajiego Jude Ezenwa for Onitsha South; Akpotue Obinna Chibuike for Onitsha South 2; Nwankwo Chiemerie for Orumba North; Maduagwu Eric for Anaocha 1; Ngoebisi Obinna for Idemili North; Isintume Charles for Njikoka 1; Nwachukwu Nonso for Nnewi South 1; Okeke Ifeanyi Akunne for Nnewi South 2; Nnonyelu Samson E for Ayamelum; and Azotani Chuks Francis for Dunukofia.
Cleopas said he was the party official responsible for uploading its candidates using the access code provided by INEC, insisting that he did not upload the disputed names.
According to him, following the completion of the party’s primaries and appeals, stakeholders from Anambra, party leaders, representatives of Obi and members of the party’s Appeals Panel produced and signed a final list of candidates.
He said the list was subsequently uploaded to the INEC portal, but nine names were left on “Pending” status by officials managing the commission’s backend system.
Cleopas alleged that INEC officials later informed the party that the disputed names were already in the commission’s system because they had allegedly been submitted by INEC officials who monitored the NDC primaries.
The party chairman said the NDC formally challenged the inclusion of the names and submitted what it described as the authentic list of its candidates, but INEC allegedly declined to make the requested changes.
He further alleged that the commission subsequently collected Form EC-9 directly from the disputed individuals and uploaded the documents without going through the party.
“This not only runs against the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC’s own guidelines, it is simply unacceptable,” Cleopas said.
He argued that where there is a discrepancy between information submitted by a political party and information allegedly obtained by INEC during monitoring of a primary, the commission should resolve the matter with the party rather than publish candidates the party says it did not nominate.
NDC Demands Investigation
The NDC chairman called on INEC Chairman to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the publication of the disputed names.
He also demanded that the investigation be extended to other constituencies in Benue and Imo states, where he alleged similar incidents had occurred.
Cleopas claimed the party’s preliminary investigation suggested that some INEC officials may have been involved in the alleged substitution of candidates.
He accused the commission of creating confusion within opposition parties by allegedly preventing them from uploading legitimate candidates while imposing other names on them.
The allegations could not immediately be independently verified.
Repeated attempts to obtain INEC’s response were unsuccessful as of press time. The commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, said she would contact the relevant department and revert, but subsequent attempts to obtain clarification were unsuccessful.
Party Threatens Court Action
The NDC said it would pursue all available legal avenues to have its preferred candidates restored.
Cleopas disclosed that the party was preparing to approach a court of competent jurisdiction to challenge the disputed nominations.
He urged members of the public and NDC supporters to disregard the names published by INEC which, according to him, were not the party’s authentic candidates.
The controversy comes as INEC and political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the electoral commission publishing candidate lists for various elective positions ahead of the polls.
The opposition party alleged that the disputed names were published by INEC as its candidates for various State House of Assembly constituencies, particularly in Anambra State, raising concerns over the integrity of the candidate nomination and upload process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, made the allegation in a statement personally signed by him on Sunday.
He described the development as an attempt to undermine the party and create confusion among its supporters, particularly in Anambra State, the home state of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The party claimed that nine names published by INEC for the Anambra State House of Assembly elections were not among the candidates it nominated after its primaries and appeals processes.
The disputed names, according to Cleopas, include Umennaajiego Jude Ezenwa for Onitsha South; Akpotue Obinna Chibuike for Onitsha South 2; Nwankwo Chiemerie for Orumba North; Maduagwu Eric for Anaocha 1; Ngoebisi Obinna for Idemili North; Isintume Charles for Njikoka 1; Nwachukwu Nonso for Nnewi South 1; Okeke Ifeanyi Akunne for Nnewi South 2; Nnonyelu Samson E for Ayamelum; and Azotani Chuks Francis for Dunukofia.
Cleopas said he was the party official responsible for uploading its candidates using the access code provided by INEC, insisting that he did not upload the disputed names.
According to him, following the completion of the party’s primaries and appeals, stakeholders from Anambra, party leaders, representatives of Obi and members of the party’s Appeals Panel produced and signed a final list of candidates.
He said the list was subsequently uploaded to the INEC portal, but nine names were left on “Pending” status by officials managing the commission’s backend system.
Cleopas alleged that INEC officials later informed the party that the disputed names were already in the commission’s system because they had allegedly been submitted by INEC officials who monitored the NDC primaries.
The party chairman said the NDC formally challenged the inclusion of the names and submitted what it described as the authentic list of its candidates, but INEC allegedly declined to make the requested changes.
He further alleged that the commission subsequently collected Form EC-9 directly from the disputed individuals and uploaded the documents without going through the party.
“This not only runs against the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC’s own guidelines, it is simply unacceptable,” Cleopas said.
He argued that where there is a discrepancy between information submitted by a political party and information allegedly obtained by INEC during monitoring of a primary, the commission should resolve the matter with the party rather than publish candidates the party says it did not nominate.
NDC Demands Investigation
The NDC chairman called on INEC Chairman to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the publication of the disputed names.
He also demanded that the investigation be extended to other constituencies in Benue and Imo states, where he alleged similar incidents had occurred.
Cleopas claimed the party’s preliminary investigation suggested that some INEC officials may have been involved in the alleged substitution of candidates.
He accused the commission of creating confusion within opposition parties by allegedly preventing them from uploading legitimate candidates while imposing other names on them.
The allegations could not immediately be independently verified.
Repeated attempts to obtain INEC’s response were unsuccessful as of press time. The commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, said she would contact the relevant department and revert, but subsequent attempts to obtain clarification were unsuccessful.
Party Threatens Court Action
The NDC said it would pursue all available legal avenues to have its preferred candidates restored.
Cleopas disclosed that the party was preparing to approach a court of competent jurisdiction to challenge the disputed nominations.
He urged members of the public and NDC supporters to disregard the names published by INEC which, according to him, were not the party’s authentic candidates.
The controversy comes as INEC and political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the electoral commission publishing candidate lists for various elective positions ahead of the polls.
