BREAKING: INEC delists some candidates for 2027 elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has delisted the names of some candidates initially cleared for the 2027 elections.

On October 10, 2026, the commission had published a list of candidates for governorship and state houses of assembly for the forthcoming general elections.

The omission of names such as Isa Ali Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe; Ladi Adebutu, PDP governorship candidate in Ogun; and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, had raised eyebrow.

INEC had explained that some candidates were excluded from the list because their political parties failed to submit membership registers as required by law.

The commission said the exclusion followed a September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgement affirming the constitutionality of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which makes the submission of membership registers mandatory for political parties.

The commission explained that it applied the judgement while finalising the governorship candidates’ list in compliance with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires authorities to give effect to decisions of superior courts.

INEC had asked 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, saying the deadline for such notifications was October 24, 2026.

Sources had told Daily Trust that while Pantami and Gwarzo were cleared pending outcome of court cases, the commission refused to clear Adebutu.

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.

In the statement, Mohammed Haruna, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee at INEC, had confirmed that were cleared to contest the 2027 elections, subject to the outcomes of pending court cases.

He, however, made it known that some 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.”

Haruna confirmed Daily Trust’s initial story on the exact number of petitions that were received and the number that scaled through.

“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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