INEC Explains Omission Of Some 2027 Governorship Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that the exclusion of certain governorship candidates from its final 2027 election list stemmed from the failure of their respective political parties to submit membership registers within the legally mandated timeframe.

The commission’s explanation follows public outcry and sharp reactions from impacted political groups after high-profile contenders—notably the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidates Isa Pantami (Gombe State) and Ladi Adebutu (Ogun State)—were missing from the published list.

Pantami’s omission occurred despite his victory in a court-mandated PDP rerun primary in Gombe, while Adebutu and his running mate were similarly excluded in Ogun State.

The Ogun State PDP chapter subsequently accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of influencing the electoral body, while human rights advocate Inibehe Effiong urged INEC to maintain strict institutional neutrality.

Responding via an official statement issued on Tuesday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC cited a landmark Supreme Court ruling delivered on September 24, 2026, in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party (Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026).

The apex court judgment affirmed the constitutionality of Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which mandates political parties to deposit their updated membership registers with the commission within designated deadlines—specifically between April 21 and May 10, 2026, as outlined in the official election timetable.

INEC emphasized that, based on the apex court’s ruling, any political party failing to satisfy these statutory submission requirements automatically forfeits its eligibility to sponsor candidates for the affected seats.

The commission stated that it executed the final governorship list in strict compliance with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which makes Supreme Court judgments binding on all authorities.

Clarifying why presidential and National Assembly candidate lists remained unaffected, INEC noted that those final rosters had already been published on September 12, 2026, nearly two weeks prior to the Supreme Court’s verdict.

However, invoking Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, the commission highlighted that aggrieved political parties who maintain their candidates were erroneously omitted have a 14-day window from the publication date to formally lodge claims, setting October 24, 2026, as the final submission deadline.

Reaffirming its stance, the electoral umpire assured the public of its continued dedication to transparency, democratic accountability, and adherence to the rule of law.