Candidate List Disputes:
INEC Upholds 66 Petitions, Throws Out 64
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled on 130 petitions challenging the final lists of candidates for the 2027 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, upholding 66 and dismissing 64.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued by the Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Haruna, following its review of complaints received after the publication of the final lists on October 10, 2026.
According to INEC, the complaints bordered on the omission of some political parties, wrongful inclusion of candidates whose names were not contained in the membership registers submitted by their parties, and alleged multiple nominations.
The Commission said it reviewed the complaints, relevant records and applicable legal provisions before reaching its decisions.
It explained that some complaints were found to have merit, leading to the approval of affected candidates and political parties, while those considered unsubstantiated were rejected.
INEC also confirmed that some candidates whose names were wrongly published were removed after verification established that they were not listed in their respective political parties’ membership registers.
The Commission further approved the removal of candidates whose nominations failed to meet applicable legal requirements, particularly in cases involving State Houses of Assembly candidates.
Giving a breakdown of the petitions, INEC disclosed that it received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states concerning the governorship election.
Of the number, 41 petitions were successful, while 28 were rejected.
For the State Houses of Assembly elections, the Commission received 61 petitions from 11 parties across 11 states. Twenty-five petitions succeeded, while 36 failed.
INEC said the affected candidates, political parties and states would be reflected in the updated candidate lists to be published on its official website.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, strict adherence to electoral laws and the credibility of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general election.
