2027 Elections Bombshell: INEC Explains Why Some Governorship Candidates Did Not Make The Final List

By Passman Akpos

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why some candidates were omitted from the final list for the 2027 governorship elections, citing a Supreme Court judgment that upheld the mandatory submission of membership registers by political parties.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the commission stated that political parties that failed to comply with the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, are ineligible to sponsor candidates for the elections.

The clarification follows the Supreme Court’s decision in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026, delivered on September 24, 2026.

According to INEC, the judgment resolved a legal dispute concerning the validity of Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires political parties to submit their membership registers as a prerequisite for conducting valid party primaries.

The dispute arose after the Court of Appeal had nullified the provisions requiring political parties to submit their membership registers before conducting party primaries.

However, INEC explained that the Supreme Court subsequently upheld the constitutionality of the provisions, declaring them mandatory for all political parties.

The apex court also upheld 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.

The commission said the Supreme Court further ruled that political parties that failed to comply with the requirements would be ineligible to sponsor candidates in the elections.

WHY SOME GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATES WERE OMITTED

Explaining its decision, INEC said it applied the Supreme Court’s judgment when finalising the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship elections.

The commission stated that political parties that failed to comply with Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, were excluded from sponsoring candidates in line with the court’s decision.

INEC said its action was also guided by Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires the relevant authorities to recognise and enforce decisions of the courts.

The clarification means that the omission of some governorship candidates from the final list was linked to their political parties’ alleged failure to meet the statutory membership-register requirements, rather than being presented by the commission as an isolated administrative decision concerning individual candidates.

The development could trigger further political and legal reactions, particularly from affected parties seeking to challenge their exclusion ahead of the 2027 elections.

PRESIDENTIAL, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LISTS ALREADY PUBLISHED

INEC also drew attention to the timing of the Supreme Court judgment in relation to the publication of candidates’ lists for other elective offices.

According to the commission, the final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates had already been published on September 12, 2026, thirteen days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on September 24.

The commission’s statement therefore distinguished the governorship list, which it said was finalised in accordance with the Supreme Court’s decision, from the presidential and National Assembly lists published before the judgment was delivered.

OCTOBER 24 DEADLINE FOR AFFECTED POLITICAL PARTIES

Despite the exclusions, INEC said political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly omitted from the final list have an opportunity to notify the commission.

The electoral umpire cited Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which provides a 14-day period from the date of publication for political parties to notify the commission of candidates they believe were wrongly excluded.

INEC fixed October 24, 2026, as the deadline for the submission of such notifications.

Affected political parties will therefore need to act within the stipulated period if they believe the commission’s decision concerning their candidates requires reconsideration under the applicable law.

The deadline places the responsibility on the affected parties to raise their concerns within the statutory timeframe rather than allow the opportunity to pass.

INEC DEFENDS COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW

Reaffirming its position, the commission assured Nigerians of its commitment to transparency, the rule of law and the credibility of the electoral process.

The statement was signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, on October 13, 2026.

The development underscores the importance of compliance with electoral laws and INEC’s prescribed timetable, particularly as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections.

For affected political parties, the immediate priority is to determine whether their candidates were omitted because of non-compliance with the membership-register requirements and, where they believe an error occurred, notify the commission before the October 24 deadline.

As preparations for the 2027 elections continue, the handling of omitted candidates is likely to attract further attention from political parties, aspirants and electoral stakeholders concerned about eligibility, legal compliance and the credibility of the electoral process.