The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved 66 petitions challenging the final lists of candidates for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
The commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to INEC, it received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states concerning the governorship elections, out of which 41 were successful, while 28 were rejected.
For the State Houses of Assembly elections, the commission received 61 petitions from 11 political parties across 11 states, with 25 succeeding and 36 failing.
INEC said the complaints followed the publication of the final lists of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates on October 10, 2026.
The complaints involved the omission of political parties, the inclusion of candidates whose names were not on their parties’ membership registers, and alleged multiple nominations.
The commission explained that it reviewed the complaints, relevant records and applicable laws before reaching its decisions.
It added that candidates and political parties whose complaints were found to have merit had been approved for inclusion, while names wrongfully published or nominations that failed to meet legal requirements were removed.
INEC said the affected candidates, political parties and states would be reflected in an updated list to be published on its website.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and the credibility of the electoral process.
