INEC APPROVES 66 PETITIONS, DECLINES 64 IN REVIEW OF 2027 GOVERNORSHIP, ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE LISTS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the outcome of its review of complaints arising from the publication of the final lists of candidates for the 2027 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

In a press statement dated October 29, 2026, the Commission disclosed that it received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states concerning the governorship election, out of which 41 were successful while 28 were declined.

For the State Houses of Assembly elections, INEC received 61 petitions from 11 political parties across 11 states, with 25 succeeding and 36 failing.

The complaints bordered on the omission of political parties, wrongful inclusion of candidates whose names were absent from their parties’ membership registers, and alleged multiple nominations.

Following a review of the petitions, relevant records and applicable legal provisions, INEC approved the inclusion of affected candidates and parties where complaints were found to have merit, while removing names wrongly published or nominations deemed inconsistent with legal requirements.

The Commission stated that the updated list reflecting the affected candidates, political parties and states would be published on its website, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and the credibility of the electoral process.