By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Nigerian Voters Organisation (NVO) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to restore the names of opposition party candidates it alleges were illegally removed from the final list of candidates for next year’s general election, threatening legal action if the commission fails to comply.

In a press statement dated October 12, 2026, and signed by its president, human rights lawyer Barr. Dr. Jezie Ekejiuba, the organisation accused INEC of removing several opposition candidates from the final electoral list without providing reasons, while leaving candidates nominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the list.

NVO described the alleged action as discriminatory and suspicious, arguing that it could undermine confidence in the electoral process before voting begins.

“This is not only suspicious but also an official electoral rigging by INEC against the opposition party candidates even before the first vote Is cast,” the organisation said.

The group challenged the electoral commission to explain why the affected candidates were removed, saying Nigerians should be given the opportunity to assess its impartiality in the conduct of the electoral process.

NVO also called on INEC to reverse the decision and restore the affected names, warning that their removal could deny voters the opportunity to choose their preferred candidates.

“The right to freely choose whom to vote for is a constitutional right and all hands must be on the deck by all electoral stakeholders to protect this voter’s right to choose in a multi-party democracy as practised in Nigeria,” the statement said.

The organisation further argued that INEC’s role was supervisory and that the commission lacked the power to disqualify candidates duly nominated by political parties or remove their names from the final list on the basis of its interpretation of court judgments.

“NVO states unequivocally that under the extant provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2026, INEC has no power or function to disqualify any candidate duly nominated by a political party,” it stated.

The group maintained that the interpretation or review of court judgments should be left to the courts, with affected parties given the opportunity to be heard before a decision is reached.

“NVO states categorically for the umpteenth time that INEC’s role is only supervisory and constitutionally empowered to function as an unbiased electoral umpire,” the statement added.

It urged the commission to rescind the alleged de-listing within seven days, warning that it would initiate legal action to enforce compliance if INEC failed to do so.

The statement did not identify the affected candidates, the political parties involved or the specific court judgments allegedly relied upon in removing their names. INEC’s response to the allegations was not included in the statement.