The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on 13 October 2026 that it had withdrawn several candidates who had been listed on 10 October 2026 for the upcoming 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. The delistings affect high‑profile aspirants such as former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Ali Pantami (PDP, Gombe), Ladi Adebutu (PDP, Ogun) and Abdulsalam Gwarzo (Nigeria Democratic Congress, Kano), among others.
Key facts
- The removal follows a 24 September 2026 judgment by the Supreme Court upholding Sections 77(5)‑(7) of the Electoral Act 2026, which makes party membership registers mandatory.
- INEC gave parties until 24 October 2026 to lodge complaints under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.
- A total of 69 governorship petitions were filed; 41 were upheld and 28 dismissed. For State Houses of Assembly, 61 petitions were received, with 25 approved and 36 rejected.
- Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, confirmed the updates and stressed the commission’s commitment to transparency.
Why were the names removed?
INEC explained that some parties failed to submit the legally required membership registers, a breach highlighted by the Supreme Court decision. Consequently, candidates whose names were not on the verified registers were deemed ineligible and taken off the final list.
What recourse do parties have?
Political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly omitted were instructed to notify INEC by the 24 October deadline, providing supporting documentation as required by the Electoral Act. The commission said it would review each submission against the court‑mandated criteria.
What did INEC say about the process?
In a press statement, Mohammed Haruna said, “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, while complaints found to be without merit were declined.” He added that the updated list would be posted on INEC’s website once the verification was complete.
What is the impact on the election timetable?
The adjustments do not alter the overall schedule for the 2027 elections. INEC reiterated that the changes are intended to ensure that only candidates meeting statutory requirements appear on the ballot, thereby safeguarding the credibility of the electoral process.
The commission’s next step is to publish the revised candidate list online, reflecting the approved petitions and the names that have been permanently removed.