2027 Gov’ship: INEC Explains Why Some Candidates Were Omitted From Final List

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has clarified why some candidates were omitted from the final list for the 2027 governorship election.

In a press statement issued on October 13, 2026, by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission said the omission was in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment of September 24, 2026.

INEC said the Supreme Court in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026, upheld the constitutionality of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires political parties to submit their membership registers as a prerequisite for valid primaries.

According to the Commission, the apex court held that Item No. 2 of INEC’s Timetable and Schedule of Activities, which mandated parties to submit their registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026, is constitutional and mandatory.

The Court further held that failure to comply renders defaulting political parties ineligible to sponsor any candidate for election.

INEC said in accordance with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), it applied the judgment while finalizing the governorship list and excluded parties that failed to comply with the provision.

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The Commission clarified that the final list of Presidential and National Assembly candidates had already been published on September 12, 2026, thirteen days before the Supreme Court judgment.

It added that under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, affected parties have 14 days from the date of publication to complain, with the deadline fixed for October 24, 2026.

INEC assured the public of its commitment to transparency, rule of law and credibility of the electoral process.