BY EMMA PETER, ABUJA
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved 66 petitions challenging the final lists of Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates for the 2027 General Election, while rejecting 64 others following a review of complaints submitted by political parties and affected candidates.
According to a press statement by the Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, dated October 29, 2026, the Commission received complaints concerning the omission of political parties, wrongful inclusion of candidates whose names were not contained in their parties’ membership registers, and alleged cases of multiple nominations.
The Commission said the review followed its earlier press statement of October 13, 2026, after the publication of the final lists of Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates on October 10, 2026.
According to the statement, INEC examined the complaints alongside relevant records and applicable legal provisions before reaching its decisions.
It explained that some complaints were found to have merit, leading to the approval of affected candidates and political parties, while those considered lacking merit were rejected.
The Commission also confirmed that some individuals whose names were wrongfully published in the final lists were removed after verification established that they were not included in their respective political parties’ membership registers.
Similarly, INEC approved the removal of candidates whose nominations were found to be inconsistent with applicable legal requirements.
It noted that decisions concerning State Houses of Assembly candidates sponsored by political parties were based on specific complaints received and determined in line with the law and the Commission’s established criteria.
Providing a breakdown of the petitions, INEC disclosed that it received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states concerning the Governorship election.
Out of the 69 petitions, 41 were successful, while 28 were rejected by the Commission.
For the State Houses of Assembly elections, the Commission said it received 61 petitions from 11 political parties across 11 states, with 25 succeeding and 36 failing.
INEC stated that the names of affected candidates, political parties and states would be reflected in the updated list to be published on its official website.
The electoral body reiterated its commitment to transparency and the credibility of the electoral process, assuring political parties, candidates and the general public that its decisions were guided by relevant legal provisions.
