INEC gives parties 14 days to challenge omission of governorship candidates

Background On 14 October 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that it had omitted certain candidates from the final list of nominees for the 2027 governorship elections. The commission explained that the exclusions were a consequence of the parties’ failure to meet the membership register requirements set out in Sections 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act 2026. As a result, those parties were deemed ineligible to sponsor the affected candidates.

Candidates and Parties Affected The most high‑profile omissions involved the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in Ogun and Gombe states. Isa Ali Pantami, the PDP’s nominee for Gombe, and Oladipupo Adebutu, the nominee for Ogun, were removed from the list. The commission also noted the exclusion of Aminu Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Kano State, and Aminu Ringim, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) deputy governorship candidate for Jigawa State, along with several other candidates from the same parties.

Legal Framework INEC’s decision was framed within the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. Section 32(2) of the Act provides a 14‑day window for parties to notify the commission if they believe a candidate has been wrongly omitted. Accordingly, INEC has set 24 October as the deadline for parties to submit any objections or corrections.

Supreme Court Context The controversy follows a Supreme Court ruling on 24 September 2026 in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party (appeal number SC/CV/495/2026). The court upheld the constitutionality of the Electoral Act’s provisions concerning political party membership registers and the nomination process, reinforcing the legal basis for INEC’s actions.

Party Reactions Affected parties and candidates have expressed dissatisfaction with the omissions. Several have threatened to pursue legal action to secure their inclusion on the ballot. Protests have been organised, and calls for a clearer explanation of the commission’s criteria have intensified.

Next Steps Political parties must submit their objections to INEC by 24 October. The commission will review the submissions and determine whether any adjustments to the candidate list are warranted. The outcome will shape the final roster of nominees for the 2027 governorship elections, which are scheduled to take place later in the year.

Conclusion The situation underscores the importance of strict compliance with membership register requirements for parties seeking to field candidates. As the deadline approaches, the electoral landscape in Nigeria remains in flux, with the potential for significant changes to the list of governorship nominees.