The Independent National Electoral Commission has yet to announce a date for publishing its corrected list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state House of Assembly elections following complaints from political parties and candidates whose names were omitted.
INEC’s Director of Information and Voter Education, Victoria Eta-Mesi, said the commission was processing corrections submitted by political parties and candidates, alongside relevant court orders. She explained that the updated list would be published once the necessary changes were completed.
Among the affected candidates are Oladipupo Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Isa Ali Pantami of the PDP in Gombe State and Aminu Gwarzo of the Nigerian Democratic Congress in Kano State. They are awaiting the commission’s decision on their appeals to determine whether they will participate in next year’s elections.
The commission had given affected parties and candidates until October 24 to submit their complaints following a September 24 Supreme Court judgment upholding provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. An INEC source said each submission would be assessed on its merits and in line with the law and the Constitution.
The source added that candidates who satisfy the legal requirements would be included, while those who fail to meet them would remain excluded. INEC is also monitoring ongoing court cases and will comply with relevant judgments when delivered.
The controversy followed the publication of candidate lists that raised questions about compliance with Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026. The All Progressives Congress also wrote to INEC, requesting the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment.
Meanwhile, the name of Accord Party presidential candidate Olawepo-Hashim had yet to appear on INEC’s website as of Sunday, despite the chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, previously indicating that the commission would recognise him as the 19th presidential candidate for the January 16 election. Accord National Chairman Maxwell Mgbudem confirmed that the party had appealed the judgment but declined to provide further details.
