Update: INEC Upholds 41 Governorship Petitions, Rejects 28
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has cancelled names of some candidates earlier cleared for the 2027 elections, raising fresh concerns among the opposition.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has cancelled names of some candidates earlier cleared for the 2027 elections, raising fresh concerns among the opposition.
INEC had on October 10, 2026, published a list of candidates for governorship and state houses of assembly for the forthcoming general elections, omitting names of the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and governorship candidate in Gombe, Isa Ali Pantami, on the platform of the PDP.
INEC had on October 10, 2026, published a list of candidates for governorship and state houses of assembly for the forthcoming general elections, omitting names of the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and governorship candidate in Gombe, Isa Ali Pantami, on the platform of the PDP.
It also, omitted Ladi Adebutu, PDP governorship candidate in Ogun; as well as the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, raising eyebrows.
The Commission had based it's reasons for the omission the September 24, 2026 ruling of the Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which makes the submission of membership registers mandatory for political parties.
INEC had further explained that some candidates were excluded from the list because their political parties failed to submit membership registers as stipulated by law.
According to INEC, it applied the judgement while compiling the names of the governorship candidates inline with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, requiring the authorities to give effect to decisions of superior courts.
INEC had then urged political parties that believed their candidates had been wrongly omitted to notify the commission in accordance with Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, giving the deadline for such notifications as October 24, 2026.
While Pantami and Gwarzo were cleared pending outcome of court cases, the commission refused to clear Adebutu, who is very popular in Ogun State.
One of the sources said the decision was taken at a meeting, which was conveyed to review petitions submitted by parties, adding that a statement would be issued by INEC.
The Chairman of INEC's Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, later confirmed in a statement, that the candidates were cleared to contest the 2027 elections, subject to the outcomes of pending court cases.
The Commission had based it's reasons for the omission the September 24, 2026 ruling of the Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which makes the submission of membership registers mandatory for political parties.
INEC had further explained that some candidates were excluded from the list because their political parties failed to submit membership registers as stipulated by law.
According to INEC, it applied the judgement while compiling the names of the governorship candidates inline with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, requiring the authorities to give effect to decisions of superior courts.
INEC had then urged political parties that believed their candidates had been wrongly omitted to notify the commission in accordance with Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, giving the deadline for such notifications as October 24, 2026.
While Pantami and Gwarzo were cleared pending outcome of court cases, the commission refused to clear Adebutu, who is very popular in Ogun State.
One of the sources said the decision was taken at a meeting, which was conveyed to review petitions submitted by parties, adding that a statement would be issued by INEC.
The Chairman of INEC's Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, later confirmed in a statement, that the candidates were cleared to contest the 2027 elections, subject to the outcomes of pending court cases.
According to Haruna, some of the names initially published had been delisted
“Further to its Press Statement of 13th October, 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to inform political parties, candidates and the general public of the outcome of its consideration of complaints received following the publication of the final lists of Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates on 10th October, 2026.
“The complaints concerned the omission of certain political parties, the wrongful inclusion of candidates of political parties whose names were not contained in the membership registers submitted by their political parties, and instances of alleged multiple nominations.
“Following a review of the complaints, relevant records and applicable legal provisions, the Commission found merit in some representations and approved the inclusion of affected candidates and their political parties, while complaints found to be without merit were declined. In addition, some names that were wrongfully published in the final list were removed after verifying that their names were not on the register.
“The Commission also approved the removal of candidates whose nominations were found to be inconsistent with the applicable legal requirements. In particular, the decisions affecting State Houses of Assembly candidates sponsored by political parties were informed by specific complaints received and determined in accordance with the law and the Commission’s established criteria.
“In summary, a total of 69 petitions were received from 12 political parties across 26 states for the governorship election. Forty-one of the petitions succeeded while 28 failed. Similarly, for the State Houses of Assembly, 61 petitions were received from 11 political parties across 11 states. Twenty-five succeeded while 36 failed.
“The affected candidates, political parties and states will be reflected in the updated list on the Commission’s website.
“Once again, the Commission assures the public of its commitment to transparency and the credibility of the electoral process.”
“Further to its Press Statement of 13th October, 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to inform political parties, candidates and the general public of the outcome of its consideration of complaints received following the publication of the final lists of Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates on 10th October, 2026.
“The complaints concerned the omission of certain political parties, the wrongful inclusion of candidates of political parties whose names were not contained in the membership registers submitted by their political parties, and instances of alleged multiple nominations.
“Following a review of the complaints, relevant records and applicable legal provisions, the Commission found merit in some representations and approved the inclusion of affected candidates and their political parties, while complaints found to be without merit were declined. In addition, some names that were wrongfully published in the final list were removed after verifying that their names were not on the register.
“The Commission also approved the removal of candidates whose nominations were found to be inconsistent with the applicable legal requirements. In particular, the decisions affecting State Houses of Assembly candidates sponsored by political parties were informed by specific complaints received and determined in accordance with the law and the Commission’s established criteria.
“In summary, a total of 69 petitions were received from 12 political parties across 26 states for the governorship election. Forty-one of the petitions succeeded while 28 failed. Similarly, for the State Houses of Assembly, 61 petitions were received from 11 political parties across 11 states. Twenty-five succeeded while 36 failed.
“The affected candidates, political parties and states will be reflected in the updated list on the Commission’s website.
“Once again, the Commission assures the public of its commitment to transparency and the credibility of the electoral process.”
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