INEC to review dozens of candidate omission petitions ahead of 2027 elections on Oct 29

Scores of petitions have been lodged at the headquarters of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) contesting the omission of various candidates from the list of nominees submitted by political parties for the 2027 general elections. Confidential informants told Daily Trust that the grievances are set to be reviewed during the body's upcoming full session, which is planned for Thursday, 29 October.

The petitions were filed within a statutory 14‑day window that began after INEC published the candidates’ particulars. The deadline expired on Saturday, and the commission confirmed that it continued to receive submissions up to the final day. A preliminary report on the matters has already been prepared, but officials indicated that the final decision will be made only after the filing period has closed.

The dissatisfied applicants include Professor Isa Ali Pantami, a former official in the Communications and Digital Economy portfolio, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, a gubernatorial aspirant for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Kaduna State Senator Danjuma Laah, Sebastine Hon, the Social Democratic Party's candidate in Benue State, and Ladi Adebutu, representing the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State. The sources did not disclose the total number of parties or petitions received.

Background

The petition process follows INEC’s publication of candidate particulars, after which political parties and interested parties have two weeks to challenge any perceived irregularities. This mechanism is intended to ensure that all eligible candidates are listed before the election timetable progresses. The current round of disputes stems from the latest release of candidate lists for the upcoming 2027 elections, a cycle that will determine Nigeria’s president, governors, and legislators.

INEC’s chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, is currently on a zonal tour of the country, a pre‑election outreach that includes a visit to Gombe State this week. The tour is expected to conclude on Wednesday, after which the commission plans to reconvene on Thursday for the petition review. Sources indicated that the chairman’s itinerary may have contributed to the timing of the meeting, but the commission affirmed that all petitions will be considered in accordance with the law.

Why it matters

The outcome of the petition review could affect the ballot composition in several key states. If the commission upholds the challenges, candidates such as Pantami and Gwarzo could be reinstated, altering the competitive landscape for governorship races in states like Ogun, Benue, and Kaduna. Conversely, a decision to maintain the omissions would solidify the current candidate lists, potentially disadvancing the aggrieved parties and their supporters.

Stakeholders across the political spectrum are watching the process closely. The NDC, PDP, SDP and other parties have expressed concern that procedural delays or perceived bias could undermine confidence in the electoral timetable. Observers note that the volume of petitions underscores heightened scrutiny of INEC’s vetting procedures ahead of a tightly contested election cycle.

What happens next

INEC’s meeting on 29 October will consider the final report on the petitions and render decisions on each case. The commission has indicated that its rulings will be issued in line with existing electoral law, which mandates that candidates have the right to be listed unless a clear legal basis for exclusion is demonstrated. No specific timeline for publishing the final decisions was provided, but the expectation is that results will be communicated promptly to the affected parties so that any further legal recourse can be pursued before the election timetable advances.

The next steps for candidates whose petitions are upheld include formal reinstatement on the official candidate list and preparation for campaign activities. Those whose challenges are rejected may consider filing appeals with the electoral tribunal, a process that could extend into the pre‑election period. All parties remain poised to respond to INEC’s determinations as the 2027 electoral calendar moves forward.