2027: Parties, Candidates Protest Omission from INEC’s Final Lists – ***To engage commission today

Political parties and governorship candidates whose names were omitted from the final lists of contestants published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general elections have protested their exclusion, describing the development as an error and vowing to pursue all available channels to secure the restoration of their names.

While some of the affected candidates expressed confidence that the omissions would be corrected, others threatened to seek legal redress if the commission failed to resolve the matter.

The affected parties include the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC).

INEC, on Saturday, released the final lists of governorship candidates in 28 states and House of Assembly candidates in all 36 states ahead of the elections scheduled for February 6, 2027.

The commission had earlier published the list of candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Among the reported omissions were the PDP governorship candidates in Oyo and Gombe states, the ADC candidate in Cross River State and the SDP candidate in Benue State. The NDC also reported the omission of its governorship candidate in Kano State.

NDC blames error for omission of Kano candidates

The NDC has attributed the omission of its Kano State governorship candidate, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, and his running mate, Mustapha Rabi’u Kwankwaso, to an error in the publication of candidates’ details.

The names of the two candidates were missing from the Kano State section of the list released by INEC on Saturday.

Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata, Secretary of the Kwankwasiyya Caucus and the NDC House of Representatives candidate in Kano, said the party had received assurances that the omission resulted from an error in entering the candidates’ details.

According to him, INEC was working to correct the problem, and the party was optimistic that the names would be included.

Kofarmata maintained that Gwarzo completed his registration within the period stipulated by the commission and that the party submitted the required information through INEC’s online portal.

He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and continue their political activities while efforts to resolve the issue were ongoing.

NDC vows to pursue legal options

The national leadership of the NDC has vowed to use every available legal means to ensure that its affected candidates are restored to the final list.

Speaking with Vanguard, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the party was investigating the matter and would take the necessary steps to address the omissions.

“NDC is looking into the matter. We will use every available legal means to ensure our candidates’ names are restored on the list,” he said.

Director added that the party was aware of reports that INEC had issued a statement attributing the omissions in some states to technical glitches, with further clarification expected in the coming days.

Adebutu insists omission will not end governorship ambition

The PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has insisted that the omission of his name from INEC’s published list should not be interpreted as the end of his ambition to contest the 2027 election.

Adebutu expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved through the appropriate channels and appealed to party members, supporters and residents of Ogun State to remain calm.

He maintained that he remained a duly registered member of the PDP and that the party’s governorship primary that produced him was conducted in the presence of INEC officials, who attended as observers.

According to him, he fulfilled the necessary membership and documentation requirements within the stipulated period.

“I remain a duly registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party. I completed my digital registration within the stipulated period, and my membership card was printed and verified. My documentation was duly submitted to INEC within the prescribed time,” he said.

Adebutu also reaffirmed his commitment to the party, stressing that he had neither defected nor abandoned its ideals.

“My commitment to our great party remains unwavering,” he declared.

The PDP candidate questioned the circumstances surrounding the omission, noting that the party’s candidates for other elective positions, including the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate, appeared on the published lists.

He said the party would pursue the matter through the appropriate channels to ensure compliance with due process.

PDP engages INEC over affected candidates

The PDP has also commenced engagements with INEC over the omission of some of its candidates, seeking a resolution in accordance with electoral laws and guidelines.

The party said it was treating the matter seriously and would provide updates as discussions with the commission progressed.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said the party was committed to ensuring that all legitimate concerns were addressed.

“The party is committed to ensuring that all legitimate concerns are properly addressed with the commission,” he said.

The PDP urged affected candidates, members and supporters to remain calm and avoid actions or statements that could undermine its efforts to resolve the matter.

Cross River: NDC candidate describes omission as bureaucratic error

In Cross River State, the governorship candidates of the ADC and NDC were reportedly omitted from INEC’s list of eight contestants.

The NDC candidate, John Upan Odey Jr, described his omission as a bureaucratic error, saying the development was not peculiar to Cross River State.

He told Vanguard that several other states, including Kano, had reportedly been affected and that stakeholders were expected to meet with INEC on Monday to resolve the issue.

“The omission is a bureaucratic error by INEC, not peculiar to Cross River. Kano and six other states were also affected. On Monday, INEC and stakeholders will engage to sort out the matter,” he said.

The ADC candidate, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, said she would review the published list before commenting on the development.

However, Effiong Nyong, who is contesting the party’s governorship ticket with Toyo, said the dispute over the ticket was already before a court.

According to him, INEC could not enter the name of any candidate until the dispute was resolved.

Benue: SDP candidate confident of correction

The SDP governorship candidate in Benue State, Professor Sebastine Hon, SAN, was also omitted from the list published by INEC, a development that reportedly caused confusion among party members and supporters.

Hon, however, described the omission as an error and expressed confidence that the commission would correct it.

He urged his supporters to remain calm, insisting that the development was not a cause for alarm.

“I believe this is just a minor error. It will be corrected,” he said.

Other candidates listed for the Benue governorship election include the incumbent governor, Hyacinth Alia, of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Nyibiam Kwaghshir of the Action Democratic Party (ADP); Adagba Iorhen of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Herman Hembe of the ADC; and Engole Ujah of the Action Peoples Party (APP).

Also listed are Ochenehi Dominic of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA); Mathias Byuan of the Labour Party (LP); Professor Terhemba Shija of the NDC; Paul Wombo of the National Rescue Movement (NRM); Roseline Chenge of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP); Michael Aondoakaa of the PDP; and Simon Ogbe of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Delta: INEC lists 18 governorship candidates, records gender discrepancy

In Delta State, INEC’s published list features 18 governorship candidates, including 17 challengers to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

However, the list contains a gender discrepancy, as Chris Iyovwaye, the NDC governorship candidate, was identified as female despite being male.

The development came amid concerns over access to the final list at the INEC state office in Asaba. As of 5 p.m. on Sunday, stakeholders were reportedly still awaiting access to inspect the document.

The candidates’ list, obtained from INEC’s online portal, identifies Oborevwori as the APC flag-bearer, setting the stage for a contest involving candidates from 18 political parties.

Among the prominent challengers are Great Ogboru of the ADC and Peter Mrakpor, SAN, of the PDP.

Ogboru, 68, who has contested the Delta governorship election several times, is the oldest candidate on the list, while Obuseh Felix Ogechukwu of the SDP, aged 35, is the youngest.

Other parties represented include the Accord Party, African Action Congress (AAC), ADP, APM, APP, DLA, LP, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), PRP and Young Progressives Party (YPP), among others.

The list also reflects female participation in the governorship race and the selection of running mates. Esther James is listed as the LP governorship candidate, while women named as deputy governorship candidates include Chinwe Regina Ejidoh of the ADC and Elohor Maureen Amakpo of the NNPP.

Meanwhile, the previously omitted Abraka, Isoko North II and Ughelli South constituencies have been captured in the state House of Assembly candidates’ list, resolving earlier concerns over their exclusion.

The publication of the lists marks another step in preparations for the 2027 general elections. However, the reported omissions and discrepancies have raised concerns among affected parties and candidates, many of whom are now seeking clarification and corrective action from INEC ahead of the polls.

The resolution of the complaints is expected to determine whether the affected candidates will appear on the final lists in accordance with applicable electoral laws and procedures.