The Independent National Electoral Commission has denied allegations that it replaced candidates nominated by the Nigeria Democratic Congress for the 2027 elections.

The commission’s position followed allegations that some candidates nominated by the NDC had been removed from INEC’s records and replaced with names not selected through the party’s primaries.

The allegations have generated controversy within the opposition party, with concerns raised over the integrity of its candidate nomination process ahead of the 2027 elections.

INEC maintained that it does not independently select candidates for political parties, stressing that parties are responsible for conducting their primaries and submitting the names of their candidates to the commission.

The electoral body said its role was to receive and publish candidates submitted by duly registered political parties in accordance with the Electoral Act and applicable regulations.

The NDC has previously defended its primary election process, saying its national secretariat did not impose candidates and that aspirants who disagreed with stakeholder recommendations were allowed to contest grassroots primaries.

The controversy comes amid preparations for the 2027 general elections, with political parties completing their nomination processes and resolving disputes arising from their primaries.

INEC urged political parties and their members to follow established procedures for candidate nomination and resolve internal disputes through the appropriate mechanisms.