The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has provided clarification on the omission of some candidates from the final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election, saying the action was taken in compliance with a recent judgement of the Supreme Court.
The Commission made the clarification in a press statement issued on Monday, October 13, 2026, and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
INEC explained that the general public is already aware of the recent decision of the Supreme Court in the case between INEC and Zenith Labour Party, with Appeal Number SC/CV/495/2026, which was delivered on September 24, 2026.
According to the electoral body, the Supreme Court judgement arose from an appeal filed by INEC challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal, which had earlier nullified the provisions of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The Court of Appeal had in its judgement declared unconstitutional the provisions that require political parties to submit their membership registers as a prerequisite for the conduct of valid party primaries.
However, INEC noted that the Supreme Court, in its judgement delivered on September 24, overturned the decision of the appellate court and held that the provisions of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026 are constitutional and mandatory for all political parties in the country.
In particular, the apex court upheld the constitutionality of Item Number 2 of INEC’s Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 general elections, which mandated political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.
The Commission quoted the Supreme Court as holding that the submission of membership registers within the stipulated period was not optional but a compulsory requirement that must be complied with by every political party seeking to sponsor candidates for elections.
Furthermore, the apex court held that failure to comply with the provisions of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act renders the defaulting political parties ineligible to sponsor any candidate for the election.
INEC said that in line with Section 287(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, which makes the decisions of the Supreme Court binding on all authorities and persons, it applied the judgement while finalising the list of candidates for the governorship election.
The Commission explained that in applying the Supreme Court decision, it had to exclude political parties that failed to comply with the provisions of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, in relation to the fielding of candidates for the governorship election.
It stressed that the exclusion was not arbitrary or targeted at any political party but was a direct consequence of the non-compliance with the mandatory provisions of the law as affirmed by the apex court.
INEC also provided further clarification on why the names of candidates of some political parties appeared on the final list for presidential and National Assembly elections but were omitted from the governorship list.
According to the Commission, the final list of candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections had already been published on September 12, 2026, about thirteen days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgement on September 24.
The Commission noted that as of the time it published the presidential and National Assembly lists, the Court of Appeal judgement that nullified Section 77(5)-(7) was still subsisting, hence it could not have excluded any party on that ground at that time.
It added that the governorship list, however, was finalised after the Supreme Court had delivered its judgement, which made it mandatory for INEC to comply with the decision of the apex court in finalising the governorship list.
INEC further drew the attention of political parties and the general public to the provisions of Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which provides a window for complaints by affected parties.
The section, according to the Commission, stipulates that political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly omitted from the published list have fourteen days from the date of publication to notify the Commission.
The Commission announced that the deadline for such notifications in respect of the governorship election is October 24, 2026, urging affected parties to take advantage of the provision within the stipulated period.
It advised political parties to channel their complaints through the appropriate process as provided by law rather than resorting to media attacks or actions capable of heating up the polity.
INEC assured that all complaints received within the stipulated period would be looked into in line with the provisions of the law and the judgement of the Supreme Court.
The electoral body also reaffirmed its commitment to conducting its activities in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and judgements of competent courts of law.
It maintained that it has no interest other than to ensure that the electoral process is conducted transparently, fairly and in compliance with the rule of law.
INEC also assured Nigerians of its commitment to upholding the credibility and integrity of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It called on political parties to ensure full compliance with all constitutional and statutory provisions as well as INEC’s guidelines and timetables to avoid a situation where their candidates would be excluded from contesting elections.
The Commission equally urged the media and members of the public to seek clarification on electoral matters from official sources to avoid misinformation and misinterpretation of its actions.
Meanwhile, the clarification by INEC is expected to put to rest speculations and controversies that trailed the omission of some candidates from the final list for the 2027 governorship election.
Political analysts believe the Supreme Court judgement will set a precedent for strict compliance with the Electoral Act by political parties as the country prepares for the next general elections.
