The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has blamed the exclusion of some governorship candidates from its final list for the 2027 elections on the failure of their political parties to submit membership registers within the required timeframe.
The commission stated that the affected parties were not eligible to sponsor candidates because they did not meet the requirements stipulated in the Electoral Act, 2026.
The explanation comes amid concerns raised by political parties and candidates following the exclusion of notable aspirants, including Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidates in Gombe and Ogun states, Isa Pantami and Ladi Adebutu, respectively.
Pantami’s name did not appear on the list despite his victory in a court-ordered rerun of the PDP governorship primary in Gombe State. Adebutu and his running mate were similarly left off the list.
Following the development, the Ogun State chapter of the PDP alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had pressured INEC, while human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong called on the commission to establish its neutrality.
In a statement released on Tuesday, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the decision was based on the Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal Number SC/CV/495/2026.
The commission stated that the Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of Section 77, subsections 5 to 7, of the Electoral Act, 2026, which mandate political parties to submit their membership registers within the stipulated timeframe.
INEC noted that the court also upheld its timetable, which required political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.
The commission said it relied on the judgment when compiling the final list of governorship candidates, in accordance with Section 287, subsection 1, of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
It also clarified that the final lists of presidential and National Assembly candidates had been released on September 12, 2026, before the Supreme Court delivered its judgment.
INEC reminded political parties that consider the exclusion of their candidates unjustified that Section 32, subsection 2, of the Electoral Act, 2026, gives them 14 days from the date of publication to formally notify the commission.
The commission set October 24, 2026, as the final date for submitting the notifications.
INEC reiterated its commitment to transparency, adherence to the rule of law and maintaining the credibility of the electoral process.
