The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties until October 24, 2026, to notify the commission of alleged errors involving candidates omitted from its final list for the 2027 governorship elections.
The commission said the deadline complies with Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which allows political parties 14 days from the publication of the candidates’ list to report cases of wrongful exclusion.
INEC disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, amid growing controversy over the omission of several prominent politicians from the final list of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates.
Among those reportedly missing from the list are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidates in Ogun and Gombe states, Oladipupo Adebutu and Isa Ali Pantami, respectively.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, was also reportedly omitted.
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa State protested the exclusion of its endorsed deputy governorship candidate, Aminu Ringim, alongside several other candidates.
The development has sparked protests and demands for clarification from affected political parties and candidates, with some threatening to seek legal redress to secure their inclusion in the electoral process.
Supreme Court Judgment Behind the Controversy
INEC attributed its decision to the Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026.
According to the commission, the apex court upheld the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which prescribe requirements for political parties’ membership registers and their use in conducting primaries, congresses and conventions.
The commission explained that the judgment followed its appeal against an earlier Court of Appeal decision that had nullified the disputed provisions of the electoral law.
INEC said the Supreme Court affirmed that the provisions were constitutional and mandatory for all political parties.
It added that the court also upheld Item 2 of its timetable and schedule of activities, which required political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.
According to the commission, the apex court further ruled that political parties that failed to comply with the membership-register requirements would be ineligible to sponsor candidates for the election.
Why Some Candidates Were Excluded
INEC explained that it relied on the Supreme Court’s judgment while preparing the final list of governorship candidates, excluding parties that failed to meet the statutory requirements for submitting their membership registers.
The commission maintained that its action was consistent with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires relevant authorities to enforce decisions of the courts.
It also clarified that the final lists of presidential and National Assembly candidates had been published on September 12, 2026, before the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on September 24.
The commission, however, emphasised that political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly excluded from the governorship list still have an opportunity to notify it within the prescribed period.
October 24 Deadline for Complaints
INEC urged affected political parties to act within the stipulated timeframe, stressing that Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, provides a 14-day window for reporting alleged wrongful omissions.
“The deadline is 24th October, 2026,” the commission stated.
The clarification comes amid increasing concerns about the implications of the Supreme Court ruling for political parties and their candidates ahead of the February 6, 2027 governorship elections.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, adherence to the rule of law and the conduct of credible elections.
The coming days are expected to be crucial for affected political parties as they consider their options before the deadline expires.
