BREAKING: INEC delists some candidates for 2027 elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recently removed some candidates from the list of eligible participants for the 2027 Nigerian elections. The omission of notable figures such as Isa Ali Pantami, Ladi Adebutu, and Abdulsalam Gwarzo has sparked controversy and scrutiny. According to INEC, these candidates were excluded because their respective political parties failed to submit the required membership registers.

This decision was made following a Supreme Court ruling on September 24, 2026, which declared Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as constitutional. The ruling mandates that political parties must submit membership registers for their candidates to be eligible for elections. INEC clarified that the decision to remove Adebutu was made after reviewing petitions submitted by political parties and determining that her nomination was inconsistent with legal requirements.

The commission invited political parties to notify them of any grievances regarding the omission of their candidates, with a deadline of October 24, 2026. As of the latest update, 69 petitions were received from 12 political parties across 26 states for the governorship election, while 61 petitions were received from 11 political parties across 11 states for the State Houses of Assembly.

Of the 69 petitions, 41 were successful, and 28 were declined. Similarly, 25 petitions for the State Houses of Assembly were successful, while 36 were declined. The affected candidates, political parties, and states will be reflected in the updated list available on INEC's website. INEC assures the public of its commitment to transparency and upholding the credibility of the electoral process.