NDC Accuses INEC of Hijacking 2027 Candidate Lists

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of hijacking its candidate list for the 2027 State Houses of Assembly elections. National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe alleged that the commission substituted party-nominated candidates with unauthorized names, specifically citing nine instances in Anambra State and additional issues in Benue and Imo states.

Zuwoghe characterized the substitutions as a deliberate plot to sabotage the party and undermine its presidential candidate, Peter Obi. He called for an immediate investigation by the INEC Chairman to determine how names not authorized or sent by the party were published as official candidates.

INEC Chief Press Secretary Adedayo Oketola denied the allegations, stating that the commission lacks the legal authority to nominate or substitute candidates for political parties. Oketola explained that nominations are submitted through an electronic portal with a verifiable audit trail, making it possible to objectively establish the source of any entry. While the NDC considers legal action, INEC has committed to reviewing the records for the specific constituencies identified by the party.