The Independent National Electoral Commission has debunked allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress that it removed the party's nominated candidates for the 2027 general elections and replaced them with names not recognised by the party.
The allegations, which mainly concern some State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra State, were raised by the NDC after it accused INEC officials of uploading and publishing unauthorised candidates.
However, INEC's Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the commission had no legal authority to nominate candidates for political parties or substitute candidates validly nominated by them.
He explained that political parties are responsible for nominating and submitting their candidates, while INEC's role is to administer the electoral process in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and relevant regulations.
The INEC spokesman urged the NDC to provide evidence and details of any officials allegedly involved in unauthorised interference, assuring that credible allegations of misconduct would be investigated.
Source: Channels