The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained the omission of some candidates from the final list for the 2027 governorship election, citing a recent Supreme Court judgment affirming the mandatory submission of membership registers by political parties.
In statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, on
Tuesday, in Abuja, the Commission said its decision to exclude candidates of some political parties was based on the Supreme Court judgment in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026, delivered on September 24, 2026.
The judgment followed INEC’s appeal against a Court of Appeal ruling that had nullified provisions of Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which require political parties to submit their membership registers as a prerequisite for valid party primaries.
According to INEC, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the provisions, ruling that compliance was mandatory for all political parties.
The apex court also affirmed Item 2 of INEC’s Timetable and Schedule of Activities, which required political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.
INEC said the court further held that political parties that failed to comply with the statutory requirements would be ineligible to sponsor candidates for the election.
The Commission explained that, in finalising the list of governorship candidates, it applied the Supreme Court’s decision in accordance with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, by excluding political parties that failed to meet the membership register submission requirements.
However, the electoral umpire noted that the final lists of candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections had already been published on September 12, 2026, 13 days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgment.
INEC also drew attention to Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which provides a 14-day window for political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly omitted from the published list to notify the Commission.
It said the deadline for such notifications is October 24, 2026.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, the rule of law and the credibility of the electoral process, assuring Nigerians that its actions were guided by the Constitution and applicable electoral laws.
