The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has upheld 41 out of 69 petitions filed against the published final list of governorship candidates for the upcoming 2027 general election, while dismissing the remaining 28 complaints. ​The decision was finalized on Thursday, October 29, 2026, following a comprehensive review session held at the INEC National Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
​According to official statements and Commission sources, the review followed the deadline of October 24, 2026, set under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2026 for political parties and candidates to notify the electoral body of wrongful omissions or irregularities.
National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, along with INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna, confirmed that the Commission meticulously evaluated each petition against statutory provisions and party registers. ​
The Commission explained that following a review of the complaints, relevant records, and applicable legal provisions, it found merit in some representations and approved the inclusion of affected candidates and their political parties, while complaints determined to be without merit were declined. ​
In the wake of the review, the electoral umpire granted provisional clearance to Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami and Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, subject to the determination of pending court cases.
Conversely, the petition by Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, who sought a review of his exclusion from the candidates’ list, failed to succeed. In addition, INEC approved the removal of candidates whose nominations failed to meet legal requirements or whose details were wrongfully published on the final list after verifying that their names were absent from valid party membership registers. ​
Addressing the rationale behind earlier candidate exclusions, Mohammed Haruna highlighted that the commission applied a landmark Supreme Court ruling enforcing strict adherence to Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates complete submission of party membership registers. Under Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), compliance with such judicial rulings is non-negotiable for party eligibility.
​In an official statement signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, INEC reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining transparency, adhering strictly to the rule of law, and guaranteeing the credibility of the 2027 general election process, noting that updated candidate lists incorporating the approved adjustments will be published across state offices nationwide.
