The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why some candidates were omitted from its final list of governorship candidates for the 2027 elections.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the electoral umpire cited a Supreme Court ruling that requires political parties to submit their membership registers before conducting valid primaries.
The commission said political parties that failed to comply with the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, were ineligible to sponsor candidates for the elections.
INEC made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 13, by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee.
According to the commission, the decision followed a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026.
The judgment arose from an appeal filed by INEC against a Court of Appeal decision that had nullified provisions of Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026. The provisions require political parties to submit their membership registers as a prerequisite for valid party primaries.
However, INEC said the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the provisions and ruled that they were mandatory for all political parties.
The commission also noted that the court upheld Item No. 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 INEC, the Supreme Court further ruled that any political party that failed to comply with the provisions would be ineligible to sponsor candidates for the election.
“Furthermore, the Court held that failure to comply with the provisions of Section 77(5)–(7), renders the defaulting political parties ineligible to sponsor any candidate for the election,” the commission stated.
INEC explained that it relied on the Supreme Court’s decision when preparing the final list of governorship candidates for the 2027 elections, excluding political parties that did not meet the statutory requirements.
The commission said its action was consistent with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires compliance with decisions of superior courts.
“In accordance with Section 287(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Commission, while finalizing the list of candidates for the Governorship election applied the above decision of the Supreme Court and excluded political parties that failed to comply with Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, in relation to fielding of candidates,” the statement read.
Beyond explaining the basis for the exclusions, INEC has also outlined the procedure available to political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly omitted.
The commission said Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, gives political parties 14 days from the date of publication of the relevant list to notify it of any alleged wrongful omission.
“Under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly left off the list have 14 days from the date of publication to notify the Commission. The deadline is 24th October, 2026,” the statement said
The clarification comes amid concerns over the omission of several candidates from INEC’s final list ahead of the February 6, 2027, governorship elections.
In Kano State, the Kwankwassiyya Movement has vowed to engage the commission over the omission of Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) deputy governorship candidate, and his principal, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, from the list.
The spokesperson of the movement, Habibu Mohammed, said the development came as a surprise because, according to him, the candidates had fulfilled the requirements for registration.
Speaking on Arise Television, Mohammed said the movement would explore the legal options available to candidates whose names were omitted.
“It came as a shock because there had been no issue with INEC. Kwankwas, a former deputy governor, is registered with the NDC and met the stipulated deadline,” he said.
Mohammed added that the movement intended to engage the commission and pursue the remedies available under the law.
“We will explore that opportunity and engage with INEC,” he said.
The spokesperson also maintained that the movement was unaware of any court judgment or order that could have justified the omission. The NDC, meanwhile, described the omission as an error and said it was seeking a correction.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also begun engaging INEC over the omission of its governorship candidates in Ogun and Gombe states.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, said the PDP was working towards an amicable resolution in line with the law and established electoral guidelines.
The party assured affected candidates, members and supporters that it was treating the matter seriously and would provide further information as developments unfolded.
It also urged those affected to remain calm and patient while discussions with INEC continued, warning against statements or actions that could undermine the ongoing engagement.
INEC had published its final list of candidates for the governorship elections on Saturday. The list, signed by the secretary of the commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, contained 13 candidates in Ogun State and 16 in Gombe State, but did not include PDP candidates in either state.
Those omitted included Ladi Adebutu, the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, and Isa Ali Pantami, the party’s candidate in Gombe State.
