The Independent National Electoral Commission has clarified the reasons for the omission of some candidates from the final list for the 2027 Governorship election, saying the action was taken in compliance with a recent Supreme Court judgement.
In a press statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission referred to the Supreme Court decision in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026 delivered on 24th September, 2026.
INEC explained that the case arose from its appeal against the Court of Appeal judgement which had nullified the provisions of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026 requiring political parties to submit membership registers as a prerequisite for valid party primaries.
However, the Supreme Court, in its judgement, held that the provisions of Section 77(5)-(7) are constitutional and mandatory for all political parties, and specifically upheld Item No. 2 of INEC’s Timetable and Schedule of Activities which mandated parties to submit their membership registers between 21st April and 10th May, 2026.
The apex court further held that failure to comply with the said provisions renders defaulting political parties ineligible to sponsor any candidate for the election.
In line with Section 287(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), INEC said it applied the Supreme Court decision while finalizing the list of candidates and excluded political parties that failed to comply with Section 77(5)-(7) in relation to fielding candidates.
The Commission noted that the final list of Presidential and National Assembly candidates had already been published on 12th September, 2026, thirteen days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgement, adding that parties who feel their candidates were wrongly excluded have 14 days to notify the Commission in line with Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, with the deadline being 24th October, 2026.
