INEC Explains Omission Of Candidates From 2027 Gov’ship Final List

Cites Supreme Court Judgement, Says Parties That Failed To Submit Register Ineligible

ABUJA — The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has clarified why some candidates were omitted from the final list for the 2027 governorship election, citing the recent Supreme Court judgement affirming mandatory submission of party membership registers.

The clarification is contained in a press release issued on Monday, October 13, 2026, and signed by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

According to the Commission, the action was in compliance with the Supreme Court decision in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026 delivered on September 24, 2026.

INEC recalled that the decision arose from its appeal against the judgement of the Court of Appeal which nullified provisions of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026 requiring submission of membership registers as prerequisite for conduct of valid party primaries.

According to the Commission, the Supreme Court held that provisions of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026 are constitutional and mandatory for all political parties.

The Court, INEC said, upheld constitutionality of Item No. 2 of INEC’s Timetable and Schedule of Activities which mandated political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.

“Furthermore, the Court held that failure to comply with the provisions of Section 77 (5)-(7), renders the defaulting political parties ineligible to sponsor any candidate for the election,” the statement said.

INEC said in accordance with Section 287(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Commission, while finalizing list of candidates for governorship election, applied the Supreme Court decision and excluded political parties that failed to comply with Section 77(5)-(7) in relation to fielding of candidates.

The Commission however explained that final list of Presidential and National Assembly candidates had already been published on September 12, 2026, thirteen days before Supreme Court delivered its judgement.

It said under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly left off the list have 14 days from date of publication to notify Commission, with deadline set for October 24, 2026.

“The Commission assures the public of its commitment to transparency, the rule of law and the credibility of the electoral process,” Haruna added.