2027: NDC Raises Alarm, Accuses INEC of ‘Smuggling’ Candidates Into Its List

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of allegedly “smuggling” unauthorised names into its list of candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The opposition party alleged that INEC officials deliberately prevented some of its authentic candidates from appearing on the commission’s list while uploading names of individuals the party said did not emerge from its nomination process.

The allegation was contained in a statement issued by the NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, following INEC’s publication of candidates for the State Houses of Assembly elections.

The party said the alleged irregularity was particularly pronounced in Anambra State, the home state of its presidential candidate, Peter Gregory Obi.

According to Zuwoghe, 10 individuals published by INEC as NDC candidates in various Anambra constituencies were neither nominated nor authorised by the party.

The affected constituencies and names, according to the NDC, are:

– 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 1: Nwachukwu Nonso

– Nnewi South 2: Okeke Ifeanyi Akunne

– Ayamelum: Nnonyelu Samson E.

– Dunukofia: Azotani Chuks Francis

Zuwoghe demanded an immediate investigation by INEC Chairman, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the appearance of the names raised serious questions about the integrity of the candidate-uploading process.

“The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, totally condemns the action of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its officials over the uploading and publication of unauthorized names in various constituencies,” he said.

‘INEC blocked our candidates’

The NDC chairman claimed that the party had completed its primaries and appeal process before arriving at a final list of candidates in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, party leadership, representatives of Obi and the party’s appeals panel.

He said the final list was subsequently uploaded to the INEC portal using the access code issued to the party.

However, according to him, nine names allegedly remained on “Pending” status on the portal.

Zuwoghe claimed INEC officials told the party that the names were already in the commission’s system because they had purportedly been submitted by officials who monitored the party’s primaries.

The party said it formally objected to the names and submitted the identities of its preferred candidates, but INEC allegedly refused to remove the disputed entries.

The NDC further alleged that INEC subsequently obtained Form EC-9 directly from some of the disputed individuals and uploaded the documents without the party’s authorisation.

“This not only runs against the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC’s own guidelines, it is simply unacceptable,” Zuwoghe said.

He argued that if INEC had detected discrepancies between information from its monitoring officials and the candidates submitted by the party, the commission should have left the affected positions blank pending clarification rather than publish names the party rejected.

NDC extends allegations to other states

The opposition party alleged that the controversy was not restricted to Anambra, saying it had observed similar developments in Benue, Imo and other states.

Zuwoghe claimed the development had caused embarrassment to the party and its genuine candidates and created confusion among its supporters.

He further alleged that the situation pointed to possible complicity by some INEC officials, although he acknowledged that the party’s investigation was still ongoing.

The NDC chairman accused the electoral commission of creating internal crises within opposition parties by allegedly imposing candidates on them.

He said the party would not allow the matter to stand.

Party heads for court

Zuwoghe said the NDC was prepared to seek judicial intervention to challenge the disputed candidate list and restore the candidates it said emerged from its lawful nomination process.

He urged the party’s supporters and the general public not to recognise the disputed individuals as NDC candidates.

The allegations could further heighten tensions between the opposition party and INEC ahead of the 2027 elections.

INEC had not, as of the time of the statement, issued a public response to the NDC’s allegations.