INEC Candidate List Sparks Controversy as NDC, PDP Challenge Omissions Ahead of 2027 Elections
The omission of governorship candidates from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list for the 2027 elections has sparked fresh debate over electoral fairness, political participation and the commission’s neutrality. The controversy has centred on Kano and Gombe states, where the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Isa Ali Pantami, were reportedly left off the published list.
The exclusions have drawn criticism from opposition party officials and political observers, who want INEC to explain its decisions. While the NDC has alleged a political conspiracy over its candidate’s omission in Kano, other voices have urged caution, saying the circumstances surrounding each case must be established before conclusions are reached.
Political scientist Dr Kabiru Sa’id Sufi, speaking to DAILY POST, said the differences between candidates whose names appeared on the list and those who were omitted had raised questions about the commission’s consistency. He argued that INEC’s explanations would be crucial to determining whether the decisions reflected legitimate enforcement of electoral rules or shortcomings in its administrative process.
Sufi pointed to the inclusion of the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Rivers State and the Social Democratic Party candidate in Nasarawa State as examples that had prompted questions among political observers. He warned that, without satisfactory explanations, the omissions could deepen public suspicions about the commission’s neutrality. However, he stressed the importance of obtaining clarification before reaching a final judgment.
In Kano, NDC state chairman Usaini Isah Mairiga said his party had complied with the nomination requirements and was surprised to discover that Gwarzo’s name was missing. He described the development as a political conspiracy and said the party had submitted a complaint to the relevant authorities. Mairiga maintained that the NDC would continue pursuing the matter and expressed confidence that its candidate would be restored to the ballot.
The PDP also called on INEC to protect its credibility and ensure that eligible candidates were given a fair opportunity to contest. The party’s acting publicity secretary in Kano, Kabiru Sani Mai Kwanika, said political parties must be allowed to participate in elections when they meet the legal requirements. He also urged parties to work closely with lawyers and pay close attention to electoral laws to avoid nomination disputes.
Legal practitioner Nura Ahmad Muhammad offered a more cautious assessment, arguing that the omissions should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of political bias. He said INEC has a duty to enforce electoral laws and relevant court decisions, but must do so consistently and transparently. Where a party has failed to meet mandatory requirements, exclusion may be justified; where a candidate has been wrongly omitted, appropriate legal remedies should remain available.
The legal dispute is linked in the supplied report to a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, concerning political party membership-register requirements under the Electoral Act 2026. INEC reportedly said some candidates were excluded because their parties failed to meet those requirements and that affected parties could notify the commission of alleged errors by October 24, 2026. As the 2027 elections approach, the handling of these cases will be closely watched, with the clarity of INEC’s explanations and the fair application of the law likely to shape public confidence in the electoral process.