The 2027 election season has barely begun and already sparks are flying.
The Independent National Electoral Commission and the Nigeria Democratic Congress are locked in a bitter standoff over who really made the final list of NDC House of Assembly candidates in Anambra State, with both sides accusing the other of tampering with democracy itself.
“We Did Not Upload Those Names” — NDC Cries Foul
Trouble erupted yesterday after INEC published a list of NDC nominees that, according to the party, looks nothing like the candidates who won their appeals in May 2026.
In an August 22 letter to INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, signed by National Chairman Sen. Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe and National Secretary Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the NDC said it had submitted nine appeal winners for recognition. They include Azubuike Okoye for Anaocha I, Paul Nagozie Nwabufo for Njikoka, Kingsley Udemezue for Idemili North, and Fred Chigozie Ezenwa for Onitsha South I.
But the list INEC released tells a different story. Names like Umennaajiego Jude Ezenwa, Akpotue Obinna Chibuike, Nwankwo Chiemerie, and Maduagwu Eric K. now appear in place of the party’s appeal candidates.
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The NDC insists unnamed INEC officials “injected” unauthorized names into its nomination records and has demanded the commission withdraw the list and publish the appeal winners instead.
INEC Fires Back: “The Signatures Are Yours”
INEC is not backing down. National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna said the commission has hard proof: Form EC9E bearing the disputed names, duly signed by the NDC National Chairman and National Secretary.
“As a matter of fact, the Commission has in its possession Form EC9E where these candidates were listed and submitted,” Haruna stated. He stressed that nomination is solely a party responsibility, and that INEC has “neither the legal authority nor the power to select, insert or substitute candidates.”
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The commission added that ahead of 2027, all 22 parties were trained and given portal access codes issued directly to their national chairmen. Candidate lists, it said, can only be generated from forms jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary.
“Therefore, any claim that the Commission independently uploaded or altered candidate information is unfounded and untrue,” INEC declared.
With both institutions digging in, Anambra’s House of Assembly race now hangs in limbo, and the question echoing in party offices is simple: whose list will make it to the ballot?
