INEC to Announce Final Decision on 2027 Candidates Next Tuesday
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will announce its final position next Tuesday on the eligibility of political parties and candidates affected by a Supreme Court judgment on compliance with statutory membership register requirements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission warned that political parties that nominated candidates whose names were missing from the membership registers submitted to INEC within the prescribed period could be barred from fielding such candidates in the elections.
It also indicated that the affected parties would not be allowed to replace disqualified candidates, arguing that permitting substitutions would enable political parties to benefit from violations of electoral laws.
The Supreme Court, in its September 24, 2026 judgment, affirmed the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 and upheld INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
Among the candidates whose nominations could be affected are Kingsley Chinda, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State; Ovie Omo-Agege, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Delta Central; and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, who is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
Others include former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, the Social Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Nasarawa State; former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Ali Pantami, the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Gombe State; former Delta State House of Assembly Speaker Victor Ochei; and Senator Saliu Mustapha in Kwara State.
The affected candidates have, however, dismissed reports suggesting that their candidacies are in jeopardy.
INEC National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed the commission’s position on Trust TV’s Daily Politics programme on Monday.
Haruna said allowing political parties to substitute candidates whose nominations failed to comply with the law would amount to rewarding electoral violations.
He cited previous cases involving Zamfara and Plateau states, arguing that political parties should not be permitted to benefit from their failure to comply with statutory requirements.
According to him, the law does not allow parties to circumvent the rules by replacing candidates after their nominations have been found to be non-compliant.
Haruna further warned that the implications could extend beyond governorship and senatorial contests to other elective positions, including seats in state Houses of Assembly.
He said INEC had interviewed candidates contesting various positions and discovered that some were not listed in their parties’ membership registers when they sought their respective tickets.
The commissioner explained that the commission had delayed its final decision to obtain legal advice after receiving the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment.
He said INEC was taking precautions to ensure that its decision was based on an authentic court document, noting that forged judgments had been presented in previous cases.
Haruna said the commission needed to verify the judgment carefully before reaching a final position.
INEC’s announcement next Tuesday is expected to clarify the implications of the Supreme Court ruling for political parties and candidates as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.
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