INEC Explains Exclusion of Some Candidates From 2027 Governorship Election List
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has explained the exclusion of some candidates from the final list for the 2027 governorship election, citing non-compliance by their political parties with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The Commission said the decision followed a Supreme Court judgement delivered on September 24, 2026, which upheld the constitutionality of Section 77, subsections five to seven, of the Electoral Act, requiring political parties to submit their membership registers before conducting valid primaries.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna,
INEC said the Supreme Court ruling in the case between the Commission and the Zenith Labour Party affirmed that compliance with the provisions was mandatory for all political parties.
The Commission explained that the apex court also upheld its timetable requiring political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026. According to INEC, the Supreme Court further ruled that political parties that failed to comply with the requirements were ineligible to sponsor candidates in the election.
The electoral body said it applied the judgement in accordance with Section 287, subsection one, of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, when finalising the list of governorship candidates.
INEC, however, noted that the final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates had been published on September 12, 2026, thirteen days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgement. The Commission further stated that, under Section 32, subsection two, of the Electoral Act, 2026, political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly excluded from the list have fourteen days from the date of publication to notify it.
It gave October 24, 2026, as the deadline for submitting such notifications. INEC however, reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, the rule of law and the credibility of the electoral process.
