The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has justified the exclusion of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidates in Gombe and Ogun States, Isa Pantami and Ladi Adebutu, from the final list for the February 6, 2027, governorship election.
But the commission stated that under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, political parties whose candidates were omitted have 14 days from publication to notify the commission, with the deadline set for October 24, 2026.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the omission followed non-compliance with membership register provisions under Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, affirmed by the Supreme Court in a suit filed by the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, challenging the application of the provisions.
The apex court upheld the constitutionality of Item No. 2 of INEC’s Timetable and Schedule of Activities, which mandated political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026, ruling parties that failed to submit their registers within the stipulated period were ineligible to sponsor candidates.
“The Supreme Court said the provisions were constitutional and mandatory for all political parties,” the statement noted.
INEC said it acted pursuant to Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which compels all authorities to enforce court decisions, in applying the judgment to the governorship list.
Also Read: Supreme Court backs INEC, upholds Electoral Act provisions
The commission’s decision has triggered controversy, particularly over the inclusion of Kingsley Chinda of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Chinda registered with the APC on April 27, 2026, and formally announced his defection from the PDP on June 2, after the APC governorship primary of May 21, raising concerns over his membership status at the time of the primary and whether his name was on the register submitted to INEC.
INEC further clarified that the final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates was published on September 12, 13 days before the Supreme Court judgment.
It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, rule of law and credibility of the electoral process.
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