The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties whose candidates were excluded from its final list for the 2027 governorship elections until October 24, 2026, to formally notify the commission of alleged omissions.
INEC said the deadline is in line with Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which provides a 14-day period for political parties to report cases in which they believe their candidates were wrongly left off the published list.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
Pantami, Adebutu Among Those Missing
Among the prominent politicians omitted from the final list are Isa Ali Pantami, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, and Oladipupo Adebutu, the party’s candidate in Ogun State.
Also missing is Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kano State.
The African Democratic Congress in Jigawa State has also protested the omission of its endorsed deputy governorship candidate, Aminu Ringim, alongside other candidates.
The omissions have prompted concerns among affected parties and candidates, with some demanding explanations and considering legal options to challenge the decisions.
Why INEC Excluded Some Candidates
INEC said the exclusions followed the Supreme Court’s September 24, 2026, judgment in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, appeal number SC/CV/495/2026.
The judgment upheld the constitutionality of Sections 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which govern political party membership registers and their use in party primaries.
According to INEC, the court upheld its timetable requiring political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026. The commission said it applied the judgment when preparing the final governorship candidates’ list.
INEC also cited Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires relevant authorities to enforce decisions of the courts.
October 24 Deadline for Complaints
The commission explained that political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly excluded must notify it within the statutory period.
INEC noted that the final lists of presidential and National Assembly candidates had been published on September 12, before the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on September 24.
The commission fixed October 24 as the deadline for affected parties to submit notifications concerning omissions from the governorship candidates’ list.
The deadline gives the parties an opportunity to formally raise their concerns with INEC. However, notifying the commission does not automatically mean an omitted candidate will be restored to the list.
Political Parties Face Pressure to Act
The affected parties now face a deadline to present their complaints and supporting information to the electoral commission.
The controversy comes as preparations continue for the 2027 elections, with political parties seeking clarity on how the Supreme Court judgment will affect their candidates.
INEC has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, compliance with the law and the credibility of the electoral process.
Whether the complaints will lead to changes in the final list will depend on the commission’s consideration of the notifications and any further legal proceedings.
