2027 Election Crisis: INEC Under Fire Over Mass Candidate Exclusion, Threatening Democracy

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken a final position regarding the exclusion of several governorship candidates from the list for the 2027 general elections. The commission affirmed that candidates excluded from the list released on October 10, 2026, remain excluded. This decision has impacted prominent contenders such as Isa Ali Pantami, who was cleared by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State, and Ladi Adebutu, the PDP candidate in Ogun State, along with his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo (also referred to as Alhaja Lateefat Yemi Kolapo). Other notable exclusions include Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano, and Danjuma Laah in Kaduna State. Additionally, governorship candidates from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Action Alliance (AA), and Accord Party (AP) in Bauchi State were also omitted.

INEC clarified its position after a meeting of its top officials, explaining that the candidates were excluded because their political parties failed to submit membership registers as required by law. This action aligns with a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, which affirmed the constitutionality of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026. These provisions make the submission of membership registers mandatory for political parties before conducting valid primaries. The Supreme Court, in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party (Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026), upheld these provisions, overturning an earlier Court of Appeal decision that had nullified them.

The legal genesis of this situation dates back to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) challenging provisions of the Electoral Act at a Federal High Court in Abuja. The ZLP argued that these provisions were inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution, contending they amounted to unconstitutional interference in the internal affairs of political parties, specifically citing Sections 221 and 222 of the Constitution. On May 5, 2026, the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, dismissed the ZLP’s action. Dissatisfied, the ZLP appealed to the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division (CA/ABJ/CV/750/2026), which on July 16, 2026, allowed the appeal in part and voided the Electoral Act provisions concerning party primaries and membership registers. This appellate court decision subsequently prompted INEC to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court’s judgment not only upheld the constitutionality of Section 77(5)-(7) but also affirmed Item 2 of INEC’s timetable for the 2027 elections. This item had mandated political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026. Furthermore, the apex court ruled that parties that failed to comply with these provisions would be ineligible to sponsor candidates in the elections. INEC confirmed that it applied this Supreme Court decision while finalizing the list of governorship candidates, in accordance with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires authorities to give effect to decisions of superior courts. The commission also noted that the final lists of Presidential and National Assembly candidates had already been published on September 12, 2026, thirteen days before the Supreme Court delivered its judgment.

The exclusion of candidates has generated significant reactions. Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, through his lawyers, issued a three-day ultimatum to INEC on October 12, 2026, demanding the publication of his name as the PDP candidate for Gombe State, deeming his omission unlawful. Oladipupo Adebutu also expressed serious concerns, highlighting that while other PDP candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and senatorial positions appeared on the published lists, he and his running mate were omitted. He vowed to pursue the matter through appropriate channels and insist on due process. The Kwankwasiyya Movement urged its members and supporters to remain calm, advising the NDC to act swiftly to protect the candidates' interests through available administrative and legal channels.

The Campaign for Democracy (CD) also voiced its concerns, cautioning INEC against alleged political interference in the electoral process. The organization called for an investigation into allegations that some candidates’ names were electronically removed after being duly submitted, noting that candidates like Pantami and Adebutu had appeared on an earlier list published by INEC on August 29, 2026. The CD described the omissions as a threat to public confidence and criticized the delay in INEC's clarification and the absence of an immediate explanation, which raised questions about the commission’s independence and impartiality. The group emphasized that an electoral umpire must not only be independent but also be seen to be independent, warning that such developments could undermine preparations for the 2027 elections and weaken public trust. It also cautioned that delays in addressing such disputes could heighten political tensions.

In response, INEC, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, stated that political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly omitted could notify the commission in accordance with Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026. The deadline for such notifications was set for October 24, 2026. The commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, the rule of law, and the credibility of the electoral process.