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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties until October 24, 2026, to report candidates they believe were wrongly omitted from the commission’s final lists for the 2027 governorship elections. The deadline comes amid disputes involving opposition parties and the eligibility of some of their candidates ahead of the next electoral cycle.
INEC announced the deadline following a Supreme Court ruling delivered on September 24, 2026, which upheld the constitutionality of provisions in the Electoral Act 2026 requiring political parties to submit their membership registers within the prescribed period. The commission said the ruling informed its decision to exclude candidates whose parties did not meet the statutory requirements.
According to INEC, the relevant provisions require political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026. The commission explained that compliance with these requirements is mandatory and that failure to meet them can affect a party’s eligibility to sponsor candidates in an election.
The development has generated controversy, particularly within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the omission of prominent candidates from the published governorship lists. Among those affected are former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Ali Pantami in Gombe State and Ladi Adebutu in Ogun State.
The affected political figures and their supporters have questioned the exclusions, while INEC maintains that its decisions are based on the applicable electoral provisions and the Supreme Court judgment. The disputes could have significant implications for the parties’ preparations if the omissions are not resolved through the prescribed procedures.
INEC has directed parties that believe candidates were wrongly excluded to formally notify the commission in accordance with Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2026. The process provides an administrative avenue for addressing alleged omissions before further legal action becomes necessary.
The controversy highlights the importance of compliance with electoral requirements, particularly as political parties organise primaries, select candidates and prepare for campaigns. It also places renewed attention on the relationship between party administration, electoral regulations and candidates’ access to the ballot.
With the October 24 deadline approaching, affected parties face a limited period to submit their complaints and pursue the available remedies. The commission’s subsequent decisions, alongside any related court proceedings, could determine whether the disputed candidates are included in the final arrangements for the 2027 governorship elections.
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