By Stephen Simon
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of systematically pre-rigging the 2027 general elections by stripping its officially nominated candidates of their spots and replacing them with unauthorized individuals.
According to the party, the anomaly was uncovered following INEC’s nationwide publication of candidate lists for the State Houses of Assembly elections. The issue was particularly pronounced in Anambra State—the political base of the party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi—where ten unapproved names were uploaded and published for State Assembly seats.
Reacting to the published registers, NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, described the development as a calculated attempt to undermine the party and spark internal disaffection among millions of its members across the country and in the Diaspora.
“The Nigeria Democratic Congress 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,” Zuwoghe said. “Principally in the Anambra State House of Assembly, ten names unknown to the party—names not authorized by the party, names not sent by the party to INEC in accordance with the law—have now been uploaded and published as candidates of the party.”
The NDC national chairman called on the INEC Chairman to order an immediate investigation into the candidate upload portal to unravel how the unauthorized entries occurred. He added that the probe should extend to other states, including Benue and Imo, where similar patterns of candidate substitution were observed.
Zuwoghe further revealed that internal party investigations point to the complicity of electoral officials who allegedly used the portal submission process as a tool for blackmail and intimidation.
Contested Anambra Constituencies and Inserted Names:
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
