The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has moved to dispel speculation surrounding the nomination process for the 2027 general elections, insisting that no registered political party has been shut out of its candidate submission platform.
The clarification follows reports suggesting that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was unable to access the commission’s online portal for uploading the names of its candidates.
Responding to the claims, a senior INEC official said the reports were inaccurate, stressing that the electoral body had already issued portal access credentials to eligible political parties, including the NDC.
According to the official, there was no basis for the commission to deny any registered political party access to the nomination system, describing the allegations as misleading.
The source disclosed that nine political parties had already received their access codes, with additional parties expected to be onboarded before the end of the exercise.
Among those said to have been granted access are the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The portal will be used by political parties to submit the names of candidates seeking to contest the presidential, governorship, National Assembly and other elective positions ahead of the 2027 polls. Governorship nominations, however, will not apply to Osun and Kogi states, where elections follow an off-cycle timetable.
NDC Raises Concern Over Portal Access
The clarification comes after officials of the NDC questioned what they described as a delay in obtaining the necessary credentials from the commission.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, had claimed that when party representatives visited INEC to obtain the access code, they were informed that the commission would communicate with them later.
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He argued that any delay in uploading the party’s candidates should not be attributed to the NDC.
INEC Reaffirms Commitment To Fair Process
Despite the concerns raised by the party, the commission maintained that every eligible political party is being given equal opportunity to participate in the nomination process.
The INEC source further revealed that additional political parties were expected to receive their login credentials before the close of business, increasing the number of participating parties to about 13.
The commission also appealed to the public to ignore reports suggesting that some registered political parties were being deliberately excluded from the nomination exercise.
According to the official, the commission remains committed to conducting a transparent and non-discriminatory electoral process as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.