INEC Approves 66 Candidate Petitions, Rejects 64 Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved 66 petitions challenging the final lists of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections, while rejecting 64 others following a review of complaints submitted by political parties.

The commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC).

According to INEC, the petitions arose from complaints concerning the omission of political parties from the final candidates’ lists, the inclusion of candidates whose names were absent from their parties’ membership registers, and alleged multiple nominations.

The commission said it reviewed the complaints alongside relevant records and applicable legal provisions before reaching its decisions.

For the governorship elections, INEC received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states. Of these, 41 were successful, while 28 were rejected.

Similarly, 61 petitions were submitted by 11 political parties across 11 states concerning candidates for the State Houses of Assembly. The commission approved 25 petitions and rejected 36.

INEC said it approved the inclusion of candidates and political parties whose complaints were found to have merit. It also removed names that had been wrongfully published after verifying that the affected individuals were not listed in their parties’ membership registers.

The commission further approved the removal of candidates whose nominations failed to meet applicable legal requirements.

It explained that decisions affecting State Houses of Assembly candidates were based on specific complaints received and determined in line with the law and its established criteria.

The updated lists containing the affected candidates, political parties and states will be published on the commission’s website.

INEC had earlier issued a press statement on October 13, 2026, following the publication of the final lists of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates on October 10.

The commission reiterated its commitment to transparency and the credibility of the electoral process, assuring political parties, candidates and the public that complaints were considered in accordance with the relevant legal provisions.

The review comes as political parties and their candidates prepare for the 2027 general elections.