Political parties and candidates are expressing their frustration after some names were left off the final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state assembly elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The omissions have sparked protests and promises of legal action from affected parties.
INEC published the final lists for governorship candidates in 28 states and House of Assembly candidates in 36 states on Saturday. Elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027. Earlier, lists for presidential and national assembly candidates were released for January 16, 2027.
Among the parties affected are the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC). Notably, the PDP’s candidates in Oyo and Gombe were omitted, as well as candidates from the ADC in Cross River and the SDP in Benue.
The NDC has pointed to an error for the omission of its Kano State governorship candidate, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo. The party’s officials believe that the names were missing due to a mistake in entering candidate details. They are hopeful that INEC will correct this oversight.
In Ogun State, PDP candidate Oladipupo Adebutu stated that the omission of his name should not be seen as the end of his political ambitions. He is determined to resolve the issue through the proper channels, asserting that he has met all registration requirements.
The PDP is actively engaging with INEC to address the omissions and has urged its members to remain calm. The party’s National Publicity Secretary emphasized their commitment to resolving the issue in line with electoral laws.
In Cross River, both the ADC and NDC candidates reported their omissions as bureaucratic errors. Stakeholders are set to meet with INEC to resolve these issues. The SDP candidate in Benue also described his omission as an error and expressed confidence that it would be corrected.
As political parties prepare for the upcoming elections, the situation highlights the importance of accurate candidate listings and the potential for legal challenges ahead.
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