INEC Unveils 2027 Candidates August 29: Governorship, State Assembly Lists

• INEC will display lists of governorship and state Houses of Assembly candidates on August 29 for the February 6, 2027 elections.
• Governorship elections will occur in 28 states, while state assembly elections will be held in all 36 states.
• Political parties must submit final presidential and National Assembly candidate lists by August 29, with INEC publishing them on September 12.
• Candidates withdrawing from the 2027 elections had an August 22 deadline and must follow Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2026.
• The public display of candidate lists aims to enable verification by parties, candidates, and the general populace.

Ensuring strict adherence to the nomination and withdrawal procedures, particularly those stipulated in the INEC Electoral Act 2026 Section 31, is crucial to avoid disqualifications or legal challenges.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced significant dates for the upcoming 2027 general elections, with a particular focus on candidate lists. On Saturday, August 29, the commission is set to publicly display the names of individuals nominated by various political parties to contest the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for February 6, 2027. This crucial step is part of INEC's broader preparations for the electoral cycle, aiming to provide transparency and allow for verification of submitted details by political parties, candidates, and the general public.

These governorship elections are slated to occur in 28 states across the federation, while contests for state Houses of Assembly will be held in all 36 states. Specifically, the gubernatorial polls will take place in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Kwara, Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto. Notably, states such as Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Bayelsa, Anambra, Imo, and Kogi will not participate in this round of governorship elections, as their polls were conducted at different times due to Nigeria's staggered electoral cycle.

Furthermore, the electoral body anticipates that 22 registered political parties will put forward new candidates in ten specific states—Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara, and Nasarawa—where the terms of incumbent governors are set to expire in 2027. Concurrently, political parties vying for the presidential and National Assembly elections are also expected to submit their final candidate lists by the same August 29 deadline. The ultimate publication of these presidential and National Assembly candidates, encompassing those for the Senate, House of Representatives, and the presidency, is scheduled for Saturday, September 12.

The upcoming deadlines are closely linked to established legal frameworks governing candidate participation in elections. Prior to the August 29 display of candidate lists, an earlier deadline of August 22 was set for individuals wishing to withdraw their candidacy from the 2027 elections. This process is formally outlined in Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates a specific procedure for withdrawal. Under this provision, any candidate seeking to withdraw their nomination must submit a written notice, personally signed by them and accompanied by an affidavit, directly to the political party that initially nominated them. This statutory requirement is designed to ensure a formal and verifiable process for candidates who decide to step down after being put forward by their respective political organizations. Consequently, as the August 29 deadline approaches for the display of governorship and state assembly candidates, political parties are under pressure to finalize all nomination and substitution processes to ensure compliance with INEC's requirements.

These announcements by INEC underscore the progressive unfolding of the 2027 election timetable and highlight critical junctures for all stakeholders. The February 6, 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections constitute a significant component of the broader 2027 general elections, setting an early tone for the national political landscape. The commission's emphasis on transparency through the public display of candidate lists is intended to foster confidence and allow for thorough scrutiny of aspirants' qualifications and submitted information.

For legal professionals advising political parties or individual candidates, these deadlines are paramount. Ensuring strict adherence to the nomination and withdrawal procedures, particularly those stipulated in the INEC Electoral Act 2026 Section 31, is crucial to avoid disqualifications or legal challenges. The staggered nature of Nigeria's electoral cycle means that while some states prepare for gubernatorial contests, others will focus solely on legislative races, reflecting the diverse electoral calendar that defines the nation's democratic process. The timely submission and verification of candidate lists are foundational to a credible and orderly election.

Lawyers advising political parties or candidates must note INEC's August 29 deadline for the display of governorship and state assembly candidate lists, and the September 12 deadline for presidential and National Assembly candidates, to ensure compliance with nomination and withdrawal procedures under the Electoral Act 2026.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers