INEC Reviews 130 Petitions, Approves Changes to 2027 Governorship, Assembly Candidate Lists

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved changes to the final lists of candidates for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections following a review of complaints submitted by political parties and candidates.

The commission disclosed this in a press release dated October 29, 2026, signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC).

The review followed the publication of the final lists of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates on October 10, 2026, and a subsequent press statement issued by the commission on October 13, 2026.

According to INEC, the complaints received concerned the omission of certain political parties, the inclusion of candidates whose names were absent from membership registers submitted by their parties, and allegations of multiple nominations.

The commission said it examined the complaints alongside relevant records and applicable legal provisions before reaching its decisions. It approved the inclusion of affected candidates and political parties where the complaints were found to have merit, while rejecting petitions considered to be without merit.

INEC also disclosed that it removed some names from the published lists after verification established that the individuals were not included in the membership registers submitted by their political parties. Candidates whose nominations were found to be inconsistent with applicable legal requirements were also removed.

The commission explained that decisions affecting State Houses of Assembly candidates sponsored by political parties were based on specific complaints received and determined in accordance with the law and its established criteria.

Providing a breakdown of the petitions relating to governorship elections, INEC said it received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states. Of these, 41 petitions were successful, while 28 were unsuccessful.

For the State Houses of Assembly elections, the commission received 61 petitions from 11 political parties across 11 states. It said 25 petitions succeeded, while 36 were rejected.

The commission stated that the affected candidates, political parties and states would be reflected in the updated candidate lists to be published on its official website. It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and the credibility of the electoral process.