The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked political parties to submit formal complaints over the omission of some of their governorship candidates from its final list ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development has triggered concerns among affected parties, with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) opting for negotiations with the commission, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has begun legal proceedings to challenge the omissions.
The NDC said it was engaging INEC to resolve the discrepancies and intended to use the 14-day window provided under the Electoral Act 2026 to correct errors identified in its submissions.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Director, said the NDC had not taken the matter to court but was exploring available legal and constitutional options to ensure its candidates were recognized.
In contrast, the SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Abiyegba, disclosed that the party had prepared an affidavit and served the commission as part of its legal challenge.
Other parties affected by the omissions include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Among the missing candidates are the NDC’s governorship candidate in Kano State, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, and his running mate, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso. The PDP’s governorship candidates in Oyo and Gombe states were also reportedly omitted, alongside the ADC’s candidate in Cross River State and the SDP’s candidate in Benue State.
Some affected candidates have described the omissions as administrative or bureaucratic errors, expressing optimism that the commission would address the discrepancies.
The PDP has also confirmed that it is engaging INEC to resolve the issue in accordance with electoral laws and established guidelines.
INEC, however, said it would not respond to media reports on the matter, insisting that affected parties should formally notify the commission of their complaints.
The controversy has raised questions about the accuracy of the published candidate lists and the procedures for resolving discrepancies before the 2027 elections.
