INEC FINAL CANDIDATES LIST FOR 2027 ELECTIONS TRIGGERS DISPUTES OVER MISSING NAMES
INEC final candidates list for the 2027 general elections has left several political parties scrambling after key names failed to appear on the published roster.
The Independent National Electoral Commission released the final list of governorship candidates for 28 states and House of Assembly candidates for 36 states ahead of the February 6 2027 polls. Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled earlier on January 16. Parties including the PDP and others have flagged omissions of governorship and other candidates across states.
Among those missing are former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Pantami, the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State and the party Ogun State contestant Oladipupo Adebutu. Some parties view the gaps as administrative errors and have begun engagement with INEC to correct them. Others plan to pursue legal options to restore the names.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress in Kano has described the omission of its governorship candidate Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo and running mate Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso as an error. The Kwankwasiyya Movement says it will engage INEC on the matter. In Cross River State reports indicate ADC and NDC candidates were not cleared for the governorship race with only eight parties appearing on the list.
Political parties and their candidates have started moves to resolve the discrepancies. INEC published the lists on Saturday and the process has already drawn reactions from multiple platforms. The commission is expected to address formal complaints in the coming days as the election calendar tightens.
WHAT INEC FINAL CANDIDATES LIST SHOWS
INEC final candidates list was published on Saturday and signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony. The list covers governorship candidates for 28 states and House of Assembly candidates for 36 states. It is the final roster released by the commission ahead of the February 6 2027 governorship and assembly elections.
INEC final candidates list also comes ahead of the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16 2027. The publication is a major step in the election timetable because it confirms the candidates who will appear on the ballot.
Parties have reviewed the INEC final candidates list state by state. While many candidates were cleared, several major names were missing. The omissions have affected different parties in different states and have created concern among supporters.
In Gombe State, the INEC final candidates list contains 16 candidates but no PDP candidate. Isa Pantami was expected to be listed as the PDP governorship candidate. In Ogun State, the list contains 13 candidates but no PDP candidate. Oladipupo Adebutu and his running mate Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo were absent.
In Kano State, the INEC final candidates list contains 17 candidates but no NDC candidate. Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo and his running mate Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso were missing. In Cross River State, reports indicate ADC and NDC candidates were not cleared for the governorship race with only eight parties appearing on the list.
REACTION TO INEC FINAL CANDIDATES LIST OMISSIONS
INEC final candidates list has drawn strong reactions from political parties. The PDP has flagged the omission of its candidates in Gombe and Ogun. The party has begun engagement with INEC to correct the gaps.
Some parties view the gaps in the INEC final candidates list as administrative errors. They have started formal engagement with the commission and hope the names will be restored. Others plan to pursue legal options to restore the names if engagement does not resolve the issue.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress in Kano has described the omission of Gwarzo as an error. Party officials in Kano said they contacted INEC and were told the issue would be looked into. The Kwankwasiyya Movement says it will engage INEC on the matter to ensure its candidate is restored.
INEC final candidates list did not give reasons for the omissions in the published document. The commission is expected to address formal complaints in the coming days. Parties have a limited time to notify INEC in writing under the Electoral Act if a candidate name is missing.
Political parties and their candidates have started moves to resolve the discrepancies. Supporters have expressed worry that their parties may go into the governorship elections without candidates in key states if the omissions remain.
WHY INEC FINAL CANDIDATES LIST MATTERS FOR 2027
INEC final candidates list matters because it determines who voters will see on the ballot on election day. If a party has no candidate in a state, its supporters in that state will not be able to vote for the party in the governorship race.
This development adds another layer to preparations for the 2027 cycle which already includes debates over campaign strategies and party realignments. Stakeholders continue to monitor how the omissions are handled to avoid prolonged legal battles that could affect the timetable.
The election calendar is tight. Governorship and House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6 2027. Parties need confirmed candidates to plan campaigns, mobilize supporters and prepare agents. Delays caused by disputes over the INEC final candidates list can affect campaign planning.
INEC final candidates list has also raised questions about party primaries, membership registers and documentation. In previous statements, INEC said parties must meet all requirements for their candidates to be listed. The current omissions have renewed focus on compliance with the Electoral Act.
For now, parties are engaging INEC and considering legal steps. The commission is expected to respond to complaints as the process moves forward. How INEC handles the disputes over the INEC final candidates list will shape confidence in the 2027 elections.
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