The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties until October 24 to report the omission of their candidates from the final list for the 2027 governorship elections, following a Supreme Court ruling that could affect their participation in the polls.

The deadline gives affected parties a limited window to seek clarification or correction of the omissions, which have sparked concerns over the eligibility of several candidates ahead of the February 6, 2027 governorship elections.

INEC announced the deadline in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, explaining that the commission had applied the Supreme Court’s September 24 judgment when preparing the final list of governorship candidates.

Among the prominent politicians missing from the published list are former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, and Oladipupo Adebutu, the party’s candidate in Ogun State.

Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate in Kano State, is also among the affected politicians.

The omissions have raised questions about the electoral prospects of the affected parties and their candidates, particularly in states where opposition parties are preparing to challenge incumbent political forces.

Why the Supreme Court ruling matters

The dispute stems from the Supreme Court’s decision in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026, delivered on September 24.

The apex court upheld the constitutionality of Sections 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which establish requirements for political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC before conducting valid primaries, congresses and conventions.

The judgment overturned an earlier Court of Appeal decision that had nullified the provisions requiring the submission of membership registers as a condition for valid party primaries.

INEC said the Supreme Court also upheld its timetable requiring political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.

According to the commission, parties that failed to meet the statutory requirements are ineligible to sponsor candidates in the affected elections.

The electoral body said it applied the ruling in finalising the governorship candidates’ list, acting in accordance with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires authorities to give effect to judicial decisions.

October 24 deadline puts pressure on affected parties

INEC said Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, allows political parties 14 days from the publication of the candidates’ list to notify the commission if they believe their candidates were wrongly excluded.

The commission consequently fixed October 24 as the deadline for submitting such complaints.

It also clarified that the final lists of presidential and National Assembly candidates had been published on September 12, 2026, 13 days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgment.

INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, compliance with the law and the credibility of the electoral process.