The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected 64 petitions challenging the final lists of candidates for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, while approving 66 others following a review of complaints submitted by political parties.
The commission said the review also resulted in the removal of some candidates whose names had been wrongly included on the published lists, as well as the approval of additional candidates and political parties whose complaints were found to have merit.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by INEC’s Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, on Thursday.
According to the commission, the petitions followed the publication of the final lists of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates on October 10, 2026. Several political parties subsequently raised concerns over the omission of their candidates, the inclusion of individuals whose names were missing from party membership registers and alleged cases of multiple nominations.
INEC said it examined the complaints alongside relevant records and applicable legal provisions before reaching its decisions.
Breakdown of the rejected petitions
The electoral commission disclosed that it received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states concerning the governorship elections.
Of the petitions, 41 were successful, while 28 were rejected.
For the State Houses of Assembly elections, INEC received 61 petitions from 11 political parties across 11 states. Twenty-five petitions were upheld, while 36 were rejected.
In total, the commission considered 130 petitions, approving 66 and rejecting 64.
INEC explained that some complaints were upheld, leading to the inclusion of affected candidates and political parties in the revised lists. Others were dismissed after the commission determined that they lacked sufficient merit.
The commission also confirmed that candidates whose names had been wrongly published were removed after verification showed that they were absent from the membership registers submitted by their political parties.
It added that some nominations were invalidated because they failed to satisfy the applicable legal requirements.
Pantami cleared as Adebutu faces setback
The review has affected the political fortunes of several prominent figures preparing for the 2027 elections.
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Gombe State, was cleared by INEC following the review.
However, the petition filed by the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, was rejected, leaving his candidacy in doubt.
An INEC source indicated that Adebutu’s name was not included in the list of candidates initially submitted to the commission by his party, a factor that contributed to the rejection of his petition.
The position of Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kano State, also remained subject to legal proceedings.
Reports on the review indicated that a court order restraining INEC from publishing Gwarzo’s name complicated the process, meaning that the final outcome of his candidacy could depend on the resolution of the pending litigation.
The commission’s formal statement did not identify every candidate affected by its decisions but said the updated lists would reflect the successful petitions and the removal of names that failed to meet the relevant requirements.
Supreme Court ruling behind the controversy
The latest review comes after a September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgment affirming the constitutionality of provisions in the Electoral Act 2026 requiring political parties to submit their membership registers.
The provisions, contained in Section 77(5) to (7) of the Act, make the submission of membership registers a mandatory requirement for political parties.
INEC has relied on the ruling in explaining why certain candidates were excluded from its initial lists, arguing that parties must comply with the law when conducting primaries and submitting nominations.
The commission has also cited Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires authorities to give effect to decisions of superior courts.
The controversy has placed additional pressure on political parties to ensure that their internal nomination processes comply with electoral laws and that the necessary documentation is submitted within the stipulated deadlines.
Updated lists expected
INEC said the names of affected candidates, political parties and states would be reflected in an updated list to be published on its official website.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and the credibility of the electoral process, maintaining that the petitions were assessed according to the evidence presented and the applicable legal framework.
The decisions represent an important stage in resolving disputes over candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, outstanding court cases could still affect the status of some aspirants.
As political parties prepare for the polls, the latest developments highlight the importance of compliance with membership registration requirements, nomination procedures and electoral regulations.
