The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved 66 petitions and rejected 64 others following its review of the INEC candidate list for Nigeria’s 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. The decision could affect how several political parties prepare for the upcoming polls.
INEC announced the outcome on Thursday, October 29, after reviewing complaints submitted following the publication of its final candidate lists on October 10, 2026.
The petitions involved allegations of omitted political parties, wrongful inclusion of candidates and multiple nominations. Some parties also challenged the exclusion of their candidates from the published lists.
The commission said it examined the complaints alongside relevant records and electoral laws before reaching its decisions.
INEC Candidate List Review: Breakdown of the Decisions
According to INEC, political parties submitted 130 petitions across the two election categories.
For governorship elections, the commission received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states. It approved 41 and rejected 28.
Similarly, 61 petitions came from 11 political parties concerning State Houses of Assembly elections across 11 states. INEC approved 25 and rejected 36.
The review also led to the removal of some candidates whose names appeared on the original lists despite not being included in their parties’ submitted membership registers. Others lost their places because their nominations failed to meet legal requirements.
INEC said it would reflect the affected candidates, political parties and states in updated lists on its official website.
What the Decisions Mean for Political Parties
The latest decisions highlight the importance of following electoral procedures during party primaries and candidate nominations.
Political parties must ensure that their membership records meet legal requirements before submitting candidates. Failure to comply could lead to the exclusion of their nominees, even after completing internal selection processes.
The outcome also shows how internal party disagreements can affect participation in elections.
For instance, INEC approved the petition involving Isa Ali Pantami, the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State. However, his inclusion remains subject to the outcome of pending court proceedings.
Meanwhile, the commission rejected Ladi Adebutu’s petition concerning his exclusion from the Ogun State governorship list.
These cases demonstrate that successful petitions do not automatically end every nomination dispute, particularly where court proceedings remain unresolved.
As preparations continue, political parties will need to review the updated lists and address any outstanding legal challenges.
INEC’s decisions mark another stage in preparations for the 2027 elections. They also reinforce the need for parties to comply with electoral laws and maintain accurate records throughout the nomination process.
