The embattled Governorship Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ogun State, Hon Ladi Adebutu and others whose names were omitted from the final list of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in contesting at the 2027 elections now have until October 24, 2026 to notify the commission of the alleged errors.
Penpushing reports that National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee Mohammed Haruna explained that the deadline was in line with Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which provides a 14-day window for political parties to notify it if they believe their candidates were wrongly excluded from the list.
The statement followed, amid controversy over the omission of several prominent politicians from the final list of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates, which include Isa Ali Pantami Governorship Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gombe state
Penpushing further reports that others affected are Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, while the African Democratic Congress in Jigawa State protested the omission of its endorsed deputy governorship candidate, Aminu Ringim, and several other candidates
The omissions have triggered protests and calls for clarification from affected political parties and candidates, with some threatening to pursue legal action to secure their inclusion.
Penpushing also reports that in the statement titled, “Clarification on the Omission of Some Candidates from the Final List for the 2027 Governorship Election’, the commission said the apex court had upheld Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The provisions require political parties to submit their membership registers to Independent National Electoral Commission (NEC) within the stipulated period and use the registers for their primaries, congresses and conventions.
“The general public is aware of the recent decision of the Supreme Court in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026 delivered on 24th September, 2026,” the Commission said.
Penpushing reports that the electoral body added that the judgment arose from its appeal against a Court of Appeal decision that had nullified the disputed provisions of the Electoral Act.
“However, the Supreme Court, in the aforementioned judgment, held that the provisions of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026 are constitutional and mandatory for all political parties,” the statement read.
Penpushing further reports that the commission said, the court equally upheld Item number 2 of its timetable and schedule of activities, which required political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.
The commission in the statement said the Supreme Court further held that political parties that failed to comply with the requirements were ineligible to sponsor candidates for the election.
“Furthermore, the court held that failure to comply with the provisions of Section 77(5)-(7) renders the defaulting political parties ineligible to sponsor any candidate for the election,” it stated.
Penpushing also reports that the commission explained that it applied the judgment while finalising the governorship candidates’ list, excluding parties that failed to comply with the membership-register requirements.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said its action was in accordance with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires authorities to enforce decisions of the courts.
Penpushing reports that it, however, pointed out that the final lists of presidential and National Assembly candidates had been published on September 12, 2026, 13 days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgment, adding that the deadline for parties seeking corrections to the governorship candidates’ list was October 24.
“Under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly left off the list have 14 days from the date of publication to notify the commission. The deadline is 24th October, 2026,” the statement added.
Penpushing further reports that the commission’s clarification comes amid growing concerns over the implications of the Supreme Court judgment for political parties and their candidates ahead of the February 6, 2027 governorship elections.
The controversy followed the Supreme Court’s September 24 judgment in Independent National Electoral Commission v. Zenith Labour Party, appeal number SC/CV/495/2026, which upheld the constitutionality of provisions of the Electoral Act governing political party membership registers and candidate nominations.
Penpushing also reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) assured Nigerians of its commitment to transparency, the rule of law and the credibility of the electoral process.
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