INEC Sets October 24 Deadline for Parties to Challenge 2027 Candidates’ Exclusion

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties 14 days to formally challenge the exclusion of their candidates from the lists for the 2027 governorship elections.

The commission’s decision followed the removal of several candidates, particularly from opposition parties, from its published lists, triggering criticism from political stakeholders and members of the public.

Among those affected were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidates, Isa Pantami of Gombe State and Ladi Adebutu of Ogun State. However, reports indicated that some All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates facing similar questions over party membership were retained on the lists.

In a statement released on Tuesday, INEC explained that the publication of its final candidate lists had taken place before the Supreme Court delivered its judgement on September 24, 2026.

The commission said political parties dissatisfied with the omission of their candidates must formally notify it within the period stipulated by law, setting October 24, 2026, as the deadline for submitting such complaints.

According to INEC, Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, provides a 14-day window for political parties to notify the commission if they believe their candidates have been wrongly excluded.

“The final list of Presidential and National Assembly candidates had already been published on 12th September, 2026, thirteen days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgement,” the commission stated.

INEC also defended its decision to exclude certain candidates, maintaining that it was implementing the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party rather than acting independently.

The judgement addressed requirements concerning political party membership registers, which parties must submit to INEC before conducting valid primaries.

The commission said it applied the ruling while preparing the governorship candidate lists and excluded parties that failed to meet the requirements under Sections 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

INEC further cited Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as the basis for complying with the Supreme Court’s decision.

The October 24 deadline now gives affected political parties an opportunity to formally contest the exclusion of their candidates through the procedure outlined by the commission.