INEC Gives Political Parties October 24 Deadline to Challenge Missing 2027 Governorship Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties until October 24, 2026, to formally notify it if they believe their candidates were wrongly omitted from the final list for the 2027 governorship elections.

The deadline, announced in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 13, follows controversy over the exclusion of several candidates from the list published by the electoral commission ahead of the next general elections.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the 14-day window for reporting alleged omissions was provided under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026. The provision allows political parties to notify the commission of candidates they believe were wrongly excluded from the published list.

The clarification comes amid concerns over the absence of prominent political figures, including the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidates in Ogun and Gombe states, Oladipupo Adebutu and Isa Ali Pantami, respectively. Aminu Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kano State, was also reported missing from the final list, while other parties raised concerns over the exclusion of some of their candidates.

Explaining the circumstances surrounding the omissions, INEC linked its decision to the Supreme Court’s judgment of September 24, 2026, in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026. The judgment addressed the legal requirements governing political party membership registers and their use in conducting party primaries.

According to the commission, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which prescribe requirements for political parties to submit their membership registers within the stipulated period and use them for party primaries, congresses and conventions.

INEC explained that the court also upheld its timetable requiring political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026. The commission said the apex court ruled that parties that failed to comply with the statutory requirements were ineligible to sponsor candidates in the elections.

The electoral body said it applied the Supreme Court’s decision when finalising the governorship candidates’ list, excluding political parties that failed to meet the membership-register requirements. It cited Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires relevant authorities to enforce decisions of the courts.

INEC further clarified that the final lists of presidential and National Assembly candidates had been published on September 12, 2026, 13 days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgment. This timing forms part of the commission’s explanation of the different circumstances surrounding the publication of candidate lists for the various elections.

With the October 24 deadline approaching, affected political parties are expected to review the published lists and formally notify INEC of any omissions they consider erroneous. The commission’s announcement provides a statutory window for parties to raise such concerns, although it does not guarantee that every complaint will result in the inclusion of an omitted candidate.

INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, adherence to the rule of law and the credibility of the electoral process as preparations continue for the 2027 elections. The commission’s clarification places the responsibility on affected political parties to act within the prescribed timeframe and pursue the available procedures if they believe their candidates have been wrongly excluded.