The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why some governorship candidates were excluded from the final list of candidates for the 2027 elections, citing a recent Supreme Court judgment on the submission of political party membership registers.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the commission said the Supreme Court, in its judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, upheld the constitutionality of Sections 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
INEC explained that the provisions make the submission of membership registers a mandatory requirement for political parties seeking to sponsor candidates in elections.
The commission noted that the Supreme Court also upheld its timetable requiring political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.
According to INEC, political parties that failed to comply with the requirement became ineligible to sponsor candidates, prompting the commission to exclude their candidates when finalising the governorship election list.
The commission added that the final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates had already been published on September 12, 2026, before the Supreme Court delivered its judgment.
INEC further disclosed that under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly omitted have 14 days from the date of publication to notify the commission.
The deadline for submitting such notifications is October 24, 2026.
The statement was signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, the rule of law and the credibility of the electoral process.
