2027 ELECTION: INEC ACCEPTS 41 GOVERNORSHIP, 25 ASSEMBLY PETITIONS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved changes to the final lists of candidates for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections following a review of complaints submitted by political parties and affected candidates.

The Commission disclosed this in a press release issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, and signed by the Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

INEC said the complaints followed the publication of the final lists of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates on October 10, 2026.

According to the Commission, the complaints bordered on the omission of some political parties, wrongful inclusion of candidates whose names were not contained in the membership registers submitted by their parties, and alleged cases of multiple nominations.

Following a review of the complaints, relevant records and applicable legal provisions, the Commission said it found merit in some of the representations and approved the inclusion of affected candidates and their political parties.

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However, complaints considered to be without merit were rejected, while some candidates whose names were wrongly published were removed after verification showed that they were not listed in their parties’ membership registers.

The Commission also approved the removal of candidates whose nominations were found to be inconsistent with the applicable legal requirements.

INEC explained that decisions affecting State Houses of Assembly candidates sponsored by political parties were based on specific complaints received and determined in line with the law and its established criteria.

Giving a breakdown of the petitions received, the Commission said it recorded 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states concerning the governorship election.

Of the total, 41 petitions were successful, while 28 were rejected.

Similarly, 61 petitions were received from 11 political parties across 11 states concerning the State Houses of Assembly elections, with 25 succeeding and 36 failing.

INEC said the affected candidates, political parties and states would be reflected in the updated list to be published on its official website.

The Commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency and maintaining the credibility of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general election.