Political parties and governorship aspirants have challenged the exclusion of their names from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final candidates’ list for the 2027 elections, with some seeking administrative corrections and others considering legal action.
The affected parties maintain that some candidates met the requirements for nomination but were left out of the published records, prompting efforts to secure their inclusion before the elections.
According to a report by Vanguard, INEC released its governorship candidates’ list for 28 states and State House of Assembly candidates for all 36 states on Saturday. The governorship and assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027, while the presidential and National Assembly elections are slated for January 16.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) are among the parties affected by the omissions. The reported cases involve Kano, Oyo, Gombe, Cross River and Benue states.
In Kano, the NDC attributed the absence of its governorship candidate, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, and running mate, Mustapha Rabi’u Kwankwaso, to an error in INEC’s records. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata, secretary of the Kwankwasiyya Caucus and the party’s House of Representatives candidate in the state, said the commission had indicated that the problem arose from data entry and was being addressed.
Kofarmata maintained that Gwarzo completed his registration within the prescribed period and that the party submitted his details through INEC’s online portal. The NDC’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, also told Vanguard that the party would pursue available legal options to have its candidates’ names restored.
In Ogun State, PDP governorship candidate Oladipupo Adebutu said his omission would not end his bid for the governorship. He maintained that he had completed the required membership registration and documentation, adding that INEC officials observed the primary that produced him as the party’s candidate.
The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said the party was engaging INEC to resolve the omissions. He appealed to affected candidates, party members and supporters to remain calm while discussions with the commission continued.
In Cross River State, NDC governorship candidate John Upan Odey Jr described his exclusion as an administrative error and said stakeholders were expected to meet with INEC to address the issue. The ADC’s candidate, Nkoyo Toyo, had yet to provide a detailed response, while Effiong Nyong, who is contesting the party’s ticket, said a court case over the nomination remained unresolved.
Benue State’s SDP governorship candidate, Prof. Sebastine Hon, SAN, also expressed confidence that his name would be added to the list. He described the omission as an error and urged party members and supporters to remain calm.
The published records have also drawn attention to discrepancies in candidates’ particulars. In Delta State, Chris Iyovwaye, the NDC governorship candidate, was reportedly identified as female on the list, although he is male.
The Delta list contains 18 governorship candidates, including incumbent Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Great Ogboru of the ADC and Peter Mrakpor of the PDP.
The list also includes female governorship candidates and deputy-governorship candidates from various parties. In addition, the previously omitted Abraka, Isoko North II and Ughelli South constituencies were included in the State House of Assembly candidates’ list.
Affected parties and candidates are seeking clarification from INEC as they pursue corrections to the published records ahead of the 2027 elections.
