INEC Adjusts Candidate Lists for 2027 Elections Following Legal Review

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a significant revision to the candidate lists for the upcoming 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. This update follows a comprehensive review of petitions submitted by political parties regarding the initial candidate lists released on October 10, 2026.

The Basis for the Review

According to a statement issued by Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission acted in response to a high volume of complaints concerning the omission of certain aspirants and the inclusion of others who allegedly did not meet party membership requirements. The review process was heavily influenced by a September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgment. This ruling affirmed the constitutionality of Section 77(5)-(7) of the 2026 Electoral Act, which mandates that political parties maintain and adhere to verified membership registers.

INEC noted that it is compelled to enforce these standards under Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that all authorities must give effect to the decisions of superior courts. Consequently, the commission removed candidates whose names were absent from the official membership registers submitted by their respective parties.

Petitions and Outcomes

The commission provided a detailed breakdown of the petitions received following the initial publication of the candidate lists:

• Governorship Elections: INEC received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states. Of these, 41 were upheld, while 28 were rejected for lacking merit.
• State Houses of Assembly: The commission processed 61 petitions from 11 political parties across 11 states. In this category, 25 petitions succeeded, while 36 were dismissed.

High-profile figures whose initial omission sparked public debate, such as Isa Ali Pantami (PDP, Gombe), Ladi Adebutu (PDP, Ogun), and Abdulsalam Gwarzo (NDC, Kano), were among the subjects of these complaints, though the commission’s statement focused on the systemic application of legal requirements rather than individual cases.

Next Steps for Candidates

INEC has stated that it will publish the updated lists of candidates, political parties, and affected states on its official website. The commission emphasized that its decisions were based on a combination of specific legal criteria and the evidence provided in the petitions. By conducting this review, the electoral body aims to ensure that all nominations align with the legal framework established by the Electoral Act and the Constitution.

Conclusion

As the 2027 general elections approach, this move by INEC reflects an ongoing effort to address procedural disputes early in the electoral cycle. While the commission has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and the integrity of the process, the impact of these changes on the political landscape remains to be seen as parties adjust to the strict enforcement of membership register requirements.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

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