INEC Explains Exclusion Of Some Governorship Candidates From 2027 Final List

Commission cites Supreme Court ruling on party membership registers, gives affected parties until October 24 to lodge complaints

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained the omission of some candidates from the final list for the 2027 governorship elections, citing a Supreme Court ruling that makes the submission of political parties’ membership registers mandatory.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the commission said it excluded political parties that failed to comply with the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, when preparing the final list of governorship candidates.

INEC said the decision followed the Supreme Court’s judgment in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026, delivered on September 24, 2026.

The judgment arose from an appeal filed by INEC against a Court of Appeal decision that had nullified Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires political parties to submit their membership registers before conducting valid party primaries.

According to the commission, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the provisions and affirmed that compliance was mandatory for all political parties.

The court also upheld Item 2 of INEC’s timetable and schedule of activities, which required political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.

INEC said the Supreme Court further ruled that political parties that failed to comply with the statutory requirements were ineligible to sponsor candidates in the elections.

The commission explained that, in accordance with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, it applied the Supreme Court’s decision when finalising the list of governorship candidates.

It said parties that did not meet the requirements were consequently excluded from sponsoring candidates.

Deadline For Complaints Is October 24

INEC, however, said political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly omitted from the list have an opportunity to notify the commission.

It cited Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which provides a 14-day period from the date of publication of the final list for political parties to report alleged omissions.

The commission fixed October 24, 2026, as the deadline for affected parties to submit their complaints.

INEC also clarified that the final lists of presidential and National Assembly candidates had already been published on September 12, 2026, before the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on September 24.

The commission noted that the earlier publication preceded the court’s decision by 13 days.

It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, the rule of law and the credibility of the electoral process.