INEC cites Federal High Court order for continued omission of NDC's Gwarzo from Kano 2027 governorship list

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the name of Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Kano State governor, remains absent from its updated list of 2027 governorship candidates. The omission is attributed to an ex‑parte order issued by a Federal High Court in Kano on 27 October, which bars the commission from publishing any NDC candidate’s name.

A senior INEC official told Daily Trust on 1 November that Gwarzo’s petition for inclusion had been cleared by the commission, but the court order must be respected before his name can appear on the official list. The same official noted that the commission’s remarks column next to Gwarzo and his running‑mate, Rabiu Mustapha, reads “Court Order”.

The updated list, released on Saturday, 1 November, shows the NDC’s governorship and deputy slots marked with the notation “Court Order”, indicating the legal restriction that prevents their publication.

Background

Gwarzo first petitioned INEC after his name was omitted from the initial candidate list published on 10 October 2026. The NDC argued that the omission resulted from a computer error and that Gwarzo met all statutory requirements. Acting to force the electoral body to list its nominee, the political group filed a motion with the Federal High Court in Abuja on 27 October.

After examining the applications on 29 October, the Independent National Electoral Commission stated that it had approved the nomination of Gwarzo, as well as those of former Communications and Digital Economy Minister Prof. Isa Ali Pantami and a number of other applicants who had been omitted from the initial roster. However, INEC stipulated that publishing the cleared names was conditional on the final outcome of pending court proceedings.

The court order that now blocks publication was issued ex‑parte, meaning it was granted without the presence of INEC, and specifically instructs the commission not to download or display any NDC candidate’s name. INEC has repeatedly stated that it has no objection to Gwarzo’s candidacy; the legal barrier, not the commission’s decision, is the cause of the continued exclusion.

Why it matters

The exclusion of Gwarzo and his deputy from the updated list raises questions about the NDC’s ability to contest the Kano governorship race. The party’s supporters have expressed concern that the legal impasse could undermine the party’s electoral prospects in one of Nigeria’s most populous states.

National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna, who confirmed the petition’s success, emphasized that the court order supersedes the commission’s clearance. The situation also highlights the broader impact of recent judicial rulings on electoral administration, notably a Supreme Court judgment on 24 September 2026 that linked candidate list decisions to parties’ compliance with membership‑register requirements.

The ongoing legal dispute has prompted calls from the NDC for clarification and for the court to lift the order, while INEC maintains that it will comply with any judicial directive.

What happens next

The next step hinges on the resolution of the ex‑parte order issued by the Kano Federal High Court. If the court lifts or modifies the order, INEC is expected to publish Gwarzo’s name on the official list. Until then, the NDC’s governorship ticket remains unlisted, leaving the party’s participation in the Kano race uncertain.

The matter may also be taken to higher courts if the NDC seeks to challenge the ex‑parte order itself. No further dates for a hearing or a decision have been disclosed in the sources.

The situation underscores the interplay between electoral bodies and the judiciary in Nigeria’s 2027 election cycle, with the final outcome likely to affect not only the NDC but also the broader perception of electoral fairness in the country.