INEC Refutes NDC's Claims of Candidate Replacement

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied allegations from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding the replacement of its nominated candidates with unauthorized names in Anambra State. The NDC, led by National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, claimed that INEC published names not submitted by the party for some constituencies in the Anambra State House of Assembly.

INEC's Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, emphasized that the Commission does not have the authority to nominate candidates for political parties, which is the responsibility of the parties themselves. He stated that all activities on the candidate nomination portal are electronically recorded and verifiable.

Oketola addressed the NDC's specific allegation that INEC officials obtained Form EC9 from individual candidates without party authorization, describing it as serious. He confirmed that INEC would examine relevant records in the constituencies mentioned by the NDC to verify these claims.