BY EMMA PETER, ABUJA
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained the omission of some candidates from the final list for the 2027 governorship election, citing non-compliance by their political parties with statutory requirements on the submission of membership registers.
According to a press statement made available to journalists in Abuja by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the Commission said the decision followed the Supreme Court judgement in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026, delivered on September 24, 2026.
The Commission explained that 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 before conducting valid party primaries.
The court also upheld Item 2 of INEC’s Timetable and Schedule of Activities, which stipulated that political parties must submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.
According to the Commission, the Supreme Court further ruled that political parties that failed to comply with the statutory provisions would be ineligible to sponsor candidates for the election.
INEC stated that, in accordance with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, it applied the Supreme Court’s decision while finalising the list of candidates for the governorship election.
Consequently, political parties that failed to meet the membership register submission requirements were excluded from sponsoring candidates in the affected election.
The Commission, 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 judgement.
INEC also drew attention to Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which provides an avenue for political parties to notify the Commission if they believe their candidates were wrongly omitted from the published list.
It said the deadline for submitting such notifications is October 24, 2026.
The Commission urged political parties concerned to take note of the statutory provisions and the applicable deadline.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, the rule of law and the credibility of the electoral process as preparations continue for the 2027 general elections.
