The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why some candidates were omitted from the final list for the 2027 governorship elections, citing a Supreme Court ruling that makes the submission of party membership registers mandatory.
In a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the commission said it excluded political parties that failed to comply with the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, when preparing the final list of governorship candidates.
Supreme Court Ruling on Party Membership Registers
INEC said the decision followed the Supreme Court judgement in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026, delivered on September 24, 2026.
The case arose from INEC’s appeal against a Court of Appeal judgement that had nullified provisions of Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which require political parties to submit their membership registers before conducting valid party primaries.
According to the commission, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the provisions and ruled that compliance was mandatory for all political parties.
The court also upheld Item 2 of INEC’s timetable and schedule of activities, which required political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.
INEC said the judgement further established that parties that failed to meet the requirement were ineligible to sponsor candidates in the election.
Why Some Candidates Were Omitted
The commission said it applied the Supreme Court’s decision in preparing the final list of governorship candidates, in line with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
It explained that political parties that failed to comply with the membership register requirements were excluded from sponsoring candidates for the governorship election.
INEC also clarified that the final lists of presidential and National Assembly candidates had already been published on September 12, 2026, 13 days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgement.
INEC Sets October 24 Deadline for Complaints
The commission said political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly omitted from the list have an opportunity to notify it under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
According to INEC, such parties have 14 days from the date of publication to submit their complaints, with the deadline set for October 24, 2026.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, the rule of law and the credibility of the electoral process.
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