INEC gives parties October 24 deadline to challenge omitted candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained its decision to exclude several governorship candidates from its final list for the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, INEC said it acted in compliance with the Supreme Court’s September 24 judgment upholding provisions of the Electoral Act requiring political parties to submit membership registers before conducting primaries.
The affected candidates include Isa Pantami in Gombe, Ladi Adebutu in Ogun and Aminu Gwarzo in Kano.

INEC says parties that believe their candidates were wrongly excluded have until October 24 to formally challenge the omissions under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act.
Meanwhile, the APC is scheduled to inaugurate President Bola Tinubu’s presidential campaign council in Abuja today.

Why it matters: The commission’s explanation establishes the legal basis for the exclusions but leaves individual disputes unresolved. The outcome could affect governorship contests in several states.