The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has told the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that it lacked the the legal authority to replace its State House of Assembly candidates in Anambra and Benue States.
TheHintsNews reports that the NDC had accused the commission of replacing its candidates in the two states, an allegation the commission described as unfounded.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna in a statement issued Tuesday said the commission has no legal authority to select, insert, or substitute a candidate for any party.
He explained that monitoring a party’s primary is a statutory oversight function only and confers no power on INEC to choose or impose a candidate.
Haruna added: “The Commission has noted a statement by the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) removed the party’s validly nominated candidates for certain State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra and Benue States and replaced them with unauthorised names.
“The Commission states that these allegations are unfounded.
“Candidate nomination is, by law, the exclusive responsibility of political parties. INEC has no legal authority to select, insert, or substitute a candidate for any party. Monitoring a party’s primary is a statutory oversight function only and confers no power on INEC to choose or impose a candidate.”
Ahead of the 2027 election, the National commissioner explicitly that all 22 registered parties designated two technically trained officers to handle their nomination process, following training organised by the Commission.
He said thereafter, the portal access codes were issued directly and in person to each party’s National Chairman, and not by proxy.
Haruna noted that a list of candidates were generated for each party as submitted by the party jointly signed by the National Chairmen and National Secretaries of the party, making the submission in Form EC9 series (A-G).
He added: “Therefore any claim that the Commission independently uploaded or altered candidate information is unfounded and untrue.
“As a matter of fact, the Commission has in its possession, Form EC9E where these candidates were listed and submitted to the Commission duly signed by the National Chairman and the National Secretary of the party.”
The Commission assured that it remained committed to transparency, accountability and providing a level playing field for all stakeholders in the electoral process.