Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of removing some of its nominated candidates and replacing them with names the party did not submit.
National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe made the allegation on Sunday after INEC published candidates for the 2027 State Houses of Assembly elections.
He said the issue was most serious in Anambra, Peter Obi’s home state, where 10 names were allegedly published as NDC candidates: Onitsha South 1 — Umennaajiego Jude Ezenwa; Onitsha South 2 — Akpotue Obinna Chibuike; Orumba North — Nwankwo Chiemerie; Anaocha 1 — Maduagwu Eric K; Idemili North — Ngoebisi Obinna; Njikoka 1 — Isintume Charles; Nnewi South — Nwachukwu Nonso; Nnewi South 2 — Okeke Ifeanyi Akunne; Ayamelum — Nnonyelu Samson E; Dunukofia — Azotani Chuks Francis.
Cleopas said similar issues were seen in Benue and Imo. He alleged the party’s final list, agreed upon after primaries and appeals and uploaded using INEC’s code, was altered.
He said nine disputed names were kept on “Pending” status before INEC allegedly collected their Form EC-9 directly, bypassing the party.
“We, as a party, are also carrying out our own independent investigation, the preliminary findings of which are already pointing to the complicity of INEC officials in foisting names purporting to be our candidates, but who are not from us,” he alleged.
“To further confirm that there was a predetermined effort on the part of INEC to impose the said nine candidates on the party, and embarrass both NDC and Mr. Peter Obi, INEC went behind the NDC to collect the Form EC-9 directly from the candidates, bypassing the party, and uploading same,” he alleged.
He said INEC should have left disputed positions vacant pending clarification.
“At the very worst, INEC could have left us with no candidates for those positions, if they knew they were unwilling to engage us in addressing any perceived anomaly,” he said.
Cleopas accused INEC of blocking opposition parties from uploading preferred candidates while introducing others. He vowed legal action.
“We are moving to approach the court of competent jurisdiction to seek redress and restore our authentic candidates. The general public and our millions of supporters should note that these are not our candidates,” he said.
