INEC Explains Omission of Some Candidates from 2027 Governorship Election List

INEC Explains Omission of Some Candidates from 2027 Governorship Election List

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained the omission of some candidates from the final list for the 2027 governorship elections, citing non-compliance by their political parties with the statutory requirement to submit membership registers.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the Commission said its decision followed the Supreme Court judgment in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026, delivered on September 24, 2026.

According to INEC, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality and mandatory nature of Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires political parties to submit their membership registers as a prerequisite for conducting valid party primaries.

The Commission explained that the apex court also upheld Item 2 of INEC's timetable and schedule of activities, which required political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.

INEC stated that political parties that failed to comply with the statutory provisions were ineligible to sponsor candidates for the affected elections.

Consequently, the Commission said it applied the Supreme Court's decision when finalising the list of governorship candidates, excluding political parties that failed to meet the membership-register submission requirement.

The Commission cited Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires the enforcement of decisions of the Supreme Court and other superior courts of record.

INEC, however, clarified that the final lists of presidential and National Assembly candidates had already been published on September 12, 2026, 13 days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgment.

The Commission further drew attention to Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which provides a 14-day window from the date of publication for political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly omitted to notify the Commission.

According to INEC, the deadline for submitting such notifications is October 24, 2026.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, adherence to the rule of law and the credibility of Nigeria's electoral process.

The statement was signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC's Information and Voter Education Committee, on October 13, 2026.

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