RismadarVoice Reporters
October 13, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged political parties whose candidates were omitted from its published list for the 2027 general elections to submit formal complaints rather than rely on media reports to address the discrepancies.
The development follows complaints from several opposition parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), over the alleged exclusion of some governorship candidates.
The affected parties have adopted different approaches, with some engaging INEC directly while others have initiated legal proceedings.
NDC National Publicity Secretary Araba Director said the party was pursuing discussions with the commission within the 14-day period it believes is available under the Electoral Act 2026 for correcting errors in the published list.
He explained that the party had not approached the court but was considering available legal and constitutional options to secure the recognition of its candidates.
The SDP, however, said it had commenced legal action over the omissions.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Abiyegba, disclosed that the party had prepared the necessary legal documents and served INEC.
Abiyegba expressed confidence that the judicial process would address the party’s concerns.
Reports indicate that the disputed list excludes PDP governorship candidates in Oyo and Gombe states, an ADC candidate in Cross River State and an SDP candidate in Benue State.
In Kano State, the NDC alleged that its governorship candidate, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, and his running mate, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, were omitted despite completing the required nomination procedures.
NDC House of Representatives candidate Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kotamata attributed the situation to an error in entering candidates’ information.
He maintained that Gwarzo completed his registration within the prescribed period and that the party submitted the necessary details through INEC’s online portal.
Kotamata also claimed that the party had received assurances that the commission was working to resolve the discrepancy.
Similarly, the NDC governorship candidate in Cross River State, John Upan Odey Jr, described his exclusion as an administrative error and said similar complaints had emerged in other states.
The PDP confirmed that it had opened discussions with INEC concerning the omissions.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said the party was pursuing a resolution consistent with electoral laws and guidelines.
In Ogun State, PDP governorship candidate Oladipupo Adebulu insisted that he had completed his digital registration and submitted the required documents before the deadline.
Adebulu maintained that his exclusion from the published list would not end his efforts to secure recognition as the party’s candidate.
The SDP governorship candidate in Benue State, Prof. Sebastian Hon, SAN, also expressed confidence that the dispute concerning his nomination would be resolved.
The complaints have raised questions about the accuracy of candidate information submitted through the electoral commission’s nomination system and the procedures available for correcting discrepancies.
However, the parties’ explanations remain their respective accounts, and the precise reasons for the reported omissions have not been independently established.
INEC’s position places emphasis on formal communication and established procedures for addressing nomination disputes, while affected parties continue to pursue administrative and judicial remedies ahead of the elections.
