2027: INEC Reviews Governorship, Assembly Lists, Upholds 66 Petitions, Rejects 64
By Felix Oti Awka
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reviewed complaints arising from the final lists of Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates for the 2027 General Election.
The Commission, in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the review followed its earlier press statement of 13th October, 2026 and the publication of the final lists on 10th October, 2026.
According to INEC, the complaints bordered on omission of political parties, wrongful inclusion of candidates whose names were not contained in the membership registers submitted by their parties, and alleged cases of multiple nominations.
The statement said: “Following a review of the complaints, relevant records and applicable legal provisions, the Commission found merit in some representations and approved the inclusion of affected candidates and their political parties, while complaints found to be without merit were declined. In addition, some names that were wrongfully published in the final list were removed after verifying that their names were not on the register.”
INEC added that it also removed candidates whose nominations were found to be inconsistent with applicable legal requirements, particularly in respect of State Houses of Assembly candidates, based on specific complaints and in line with the law and its established criteria.
Giving a breakdown, the Commission disclosed that it received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states for the governorship election, out of which 41 succeeded while 28 failed.
For the State Houses of Assembly, 61 petitions were received from 11 political parties across 11 states, with 25 succeeding and 36 failing.
“The affected candidates, political parties and states will be reflected in the updated list on the Commission’s website,” the statement said.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and credibility of the electoral process.
Shorter version for online:
INEC Amends 2027 Governorship, Assembly Candidates List After Petitions
INEC has amended the final lists of Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates for the 2027 elections after considering petitions from political parties.
In a statement on 29th October by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, IVEC Chairman, the Commission said it received 69 petitions for governorship from 12 parties in 26 states (41 upheld, 28 rejected) and 61 petitions for State Assembly from 11 parties in 11 states (25 upheld, 36 rejected).
The complaints were about omission of parties, wrongful inclusion of candidates not in party registers, and multiple nominations.
Affected lists will be updated on INEC website.
