INEC Sets October 24 Deadline for Pantami, Adebutu Candidate Omission

• INEC has set an October 24, 2026, deadline for political parties to report alleged omissions from the final 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidate list.
• Prominent figures such as Oladipupo Adebutu and Isa Ali Pantami were among those initially excluded from the candidate list.
• The omissions are a direct consequence of a Supreme Court ruling (INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, SC/CV/495/2026) that upheld strict compliance with Electoral Act 2026 Sections 77(5)-(7).
• These sections mandate the timely submission and use of membership registers for candidate eligibility, with a submission window of April 21 to May 10, 2026.
• The Supreme Court affirmed that failure to comply with these provisions renders political parties ineligible to sponsor any candidate for the election.

Political parties and their legal counsel must urgently review their candidate lists for the 2027 governorship elections and, if any candidates were omitted, notify INEC by October 24, 2026.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a critical directive, setting an October 24, 2026, deadline for political parties to report any alleged errors in the final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. This announcement, made on Tuesday evening by Mohammed Haruna, INEC's National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, provides a 14-day window for notification, aligning with Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

This development follows significant controversy surrounding the omission of several prominent politicians from the initial candidate list. Among those notably absent are Oladipupo Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) governorship candidate for Ogun State, and Isa Ali Pantami, the PDP's candidate for Gombe State. Additionally, Aminu Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, was omitted, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa State protested the exclusion of its endorsed deputy governorship candidate, Aminu Ringim, alongside other candidates.

The widespread omissions have ignited protests and demands for clarification from the affected political parties and individuals. Some parties have indicated their intention to pursue legal avenues to ensure the inclusion of their candidates, underscoring the high stakes involved as the 2027 election cycle approaches. The October 24 deadline represents a crucial opportunity for parties to rectify these issues before the finalization of the candidate list.

The backdrop to these omissions and INEC's recent directive is a landmark Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, in the case of *INEC v. Zenith Labour Party*, identified by appeal number SC/CV/495/2026. This ruling upheld the constitutionality of key provisions within the Electoral Act, 2026, specifically Sections 77(5), 77(6), and 77(7).

These pivotal sections mandate that political parties must submit their membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission within a specified timeframe, which for the 2027 elections was between April 21 and May 10, 2026. Crucially, these registers are required to be the basis for all internal party processes, including primaries, congresses, and conventions. The Supreme Court unequivocally held that any failure by a political party to comply with these provisions renders that party ineligible to sponsor candidates for the election.

INEC clarified that its actions in finalizing the 2027 governorship candidate list were a direct application of this Supreme Court judgment. The commission excluded parties that did not adhere to the membership-register requirements, acting in accordance with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which obliges all authorities to enforce decisions of the courts. This judicial interpretation has set a stringent precedent for candidate eligibility.

This development carries significant implications for the integrity and conduct of the Nigeria 2027 election candidate list process. The Supreme Court's firm stance on Sections 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 underscores a strict judicial interpretation of electoral law, emphasizing meticulous adherence to procedural requirements for candidate nomination. The omission of high-profile individuals like Oladipupo Adebutu and Isa Ali Pantami highlights the non-negotiable nature of these regulations.

Political parties and their legal counsel must urgently review their candidate lists for the 2027 governorship elections and, if any candidates were omitted, notify INEC by October 24, 2026. This situation serves as a stark reminder that compliance with the Independent National Electoral Commission's guidelines and the Electoral Act 2026 is paramount for candidate eligibility. The deadline is not merely administrative but a critical window to address issues stemming from a legally affirmed framework, ensuring that only compliant parties can field candidates.

Political parties and their legal counsel must urgently review their candidate lists for the 2027 governorship elections and, if any candidates were omitted, notify INEC by October 24, 2026. This development reinforces the strict judicial interpretation of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly Sections 77(5)-(7), regarding the submission and use of membership registers, making compliance critical for candidate eligibility.

Source: Original reporting based on recent electoral commission statements.