The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of replacing its genuine candidates for the 2027 Anambra State House of Assembly election with “impostors”.
In a statement on Sunday, NDC National Chairman Moses Zuwoghe alleged that 10 names published by INEC were not authorised or submitted by the party.
Zuwoghe said the alleged substitutions were particularly troubling because they occurred in Anambra, the home state of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
He alleged that the names were inserted into INEC’s system without the party’s approval.
“I, as Chairman of the Party and custodian of the code given to the NDC for the upload of our candidates, never uploaded those names, and I unequivocally state that the party did not also upload those nine names.”
The names listed by the NDC include Umennaajiego Jude Ezenwa for Onitsha South 1, Akpotue Obinna Chibuike for Onitsha South 2, Nwankwo Chiemerie for Orumba North, Maduagwu Eric K for Anaocha 1 and Ngoebisi Obinna for Idemili North.
Others are Isintume Charles for Njikoka 1, Nwachukwu Nonso for Nnewi South, Okeke Ifeanyi Akunne for Nnewi South 2, Nnonyelu Samson E for Ayamelum and Azotani Chuks Francis for Dunukofia.
NDC demands investigation
The party described the alleged substitutions as unacceptable and contrary to the Electoral Act and INEC’s guidelines.
Zuwoghe said that where there was a discrepancy between candidates submitted by a political party and information received by INEC from its field monitoring teams, the commission should leave the relevant positions blank rather than publish names allegedly not submitted by the party.
He called on the INEC chairman to immediately investigate how the disputed names were uploaded and published.
The NDC also wants the investigation extended to other states, including Benue and Imo, where it claims similar incidents have occurred.
Zuwoghe alleged that the development was part of an emerging pattern in which INEC allegedly prevents political parties from uploading their legitimate candidates while selecting alternative candidates for them.
He said the alleged actions had caused embarrassment to the party and dissatisfaction among its supporters.
The NDC chairman said the party would pursue the matter in court if necessary and seek the restoration of its authentic candidates.
“Even as we move 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.”
