Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) don explain why some candidates no make the final list for 2027 governorship elections. The commission talk say the affected political parties fail to comply with legal requirements for submitting their membership registers.
Some of the candidates wey no make the list na Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates for Gombe, Isa Pantami, and for Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu. INEC on Saturday publish final lists of governorship candidates. The list name 16 candidates for Gombe State and 13 for Ogun State. No PDP candidate among them.
For statement on Tuesday, the commission say the decision follow Supreme Court judgment wey come on September 24, 2026. The judgment uphold constitutionality of provisions inside Electoral Act 2026. Those provisions require political parties to submit their membership registers before conducting valid party primaries.
The judgment come from appeal wey INEC file against Court of Appeal ruling. That ruling bin nullify Sections 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act. The sections prescribe submission of membership registers as requirement for valid party primaries.
According to INEC, Supreme Court, inside INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026, uphold the disputed provisions. The court confirm say the provisions mandatory for all political parties. The court also uphold Item 2 of INEC timetable for 2027 elections. That item require political parties to submit membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.
INEC say Supreme Court rule say any political party wey fail to comply with the requirement no go fit sponsor candidates for the elections. The commission explain say e apply the judgment when e finalise list of candidates for 2027 governorship elections. E exclude parties wey no comply with membership-register submission requirements.
INEC add say final lists of presidential and National Assembly candidates don already publish on September 12, 2026. That publication happen 13 days before Supreme Court deliver the judgment. The commission say Section 32(2) of Electoral Act 2026 allow political parties wey believe INEC wrongly omit their candidates to notify the commission within 14 days of publication. According to INEC, deadline for such notifications na October 24, 2026.
Mohammed Kudu Haruna sign the statement. Na him be National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC Information and Voter Education Committee. The commission repeat say e stand for transparency, rule of law and credibility of electoral process.
For another development, INEC don dismiss as fake a publication wey dey circulate online. The publication claim say na special announcement by the Commission about governorship candidates in six states. For public notice wey e post on X, the Commission say the publication no originate from INEC. E urge members of public to disregard am.
INEC state say the Commission wish to categorically inform general public say the publication fake and e no originate from INEC. The affected states na Zamfara, Gombe, Delta, Plateau, Yobe and Kano.
INEC warn public against sharing the fraudulent publication. E advise citizens to obtain electoral information only through verified communication channels. The Commission talk say public suppose rely solely on official notices, press releases, and other information wey e issue through verified communication channels.
The Commission also clarify say any information wey suggest say e issue special announcement about governorship candidates in the six states na false. INEC urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and verify electoral information through official website, X and Instagram accounts, Facebook page, and news portal. The electoral body repeat say e dey committed to keeping public accurately informed. E urge Nigerians to disregard fraudulent publications and rely on official channels for credible electoral information.
