The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved 66 petitions challenging the final lists of candidates for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, while rejecting 64 others following a review of complaints submitted by political parties.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the Commission said it received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states over governorship candidates, with 41 succeeding and 28 rejected.
For the State Houses of Assembly elections, INEC received 61 petitions from 11 political parties across 11 states. Of these, 25 were successful, while 36 were declined.
The review followed the publication of the final lists of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates on October 10, 2026, and a subsequent press statement issued by the Commission on October 13.
According to INEC, the complaints centred on the omission of political parties from the published lists, the inclusion of candidates whose names were absent from their parties’ membership registers, and allegations of multiple nominations.
The Commission said it approved the inclusion of affected candidates and political parties where complaints were found to have merit. It also removed names that had been wrongfully published after verifying that the candidates were not listed in the membership registers submitted by their parties.
INEC further approved the removal of candidates whose nominations failed to meet applicable legal requirements. It noted that decisions involving State Houses of Assembly candidates were based on specific complaints received and determined in line with the law and the Commission’s established criteria.
The Commission said the affected candidates, political parties and states would be reflected in an updated list to be published on its website.
INEC reiterated its commitment to transparency and the credibility of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general election.
