Political parties and candidates whose names were omitted from the final lists of governorship and State Houses of Assembly contestants released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have faulted the commission.
INEC on Saturday released the final lists of governorship candidates in 28 states and House of Assembly candidates in 36 states for elections scheduled for February 6, 2027. It had earlier released the list of candidates for the presidential and National Assembly polls slated for January 16, 2027.
Some of those affected described the omission as an error and said they would engage INEC today, while others vowed to seek legal redress.
Parties affected include the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC; Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Social Democratic Party, SDP; and African Democratic Congress, ADC. The PDP governorship candidates in Oyo and Gombe were not listed, as well as the ADC in Cross River and the SDP in Benue.
*NDC blames error in Kano*
The NDC said the omission of its Kano State governorship candidate, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, and his running mate, Mustapha Rabi’u Kwankwaso, was due to an error.
Secretary of the Kwankwasiyya Caucus and NDC House of Representatives candidate in Kano, Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata, said the party had been assured that the omission resulted from a glitch in entering the candidates’ details and that INEC was working to correct it.
He said Gwarzo completed his registration within the INEC deadline and the party submitted his details through the commission’s portal. He urged supporters to remain calm.
The national leadership of the NDC said it would use all legal means to ensure its candidates’ names are restored, noting that INEC had issued a statement that some states experienced glitches and that clarification would be made in the coming days.
*Adebutu speaks on Ogun omission*
The PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, whose name was missing from the list, said the development should not be interpreted as the end of his ambition.
Adebutu said he remained a duly registered member of the PDP, completed his digital registration within the stipulated period, and his documentation was submitted to INEC on time. He added that the PDP primary that produced him was conducted with INEC officials as observers.
“I remain a duly registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party. I completed my digital registration within the stipulated period, and my membership card was printed and verified. My documentation was duly submitted to INEC within the prescribed time,” he said.
He questioned why PDP candidates for House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate appeared on the lists while his name was omitted, and said the matter would be pursued through appropriate channels.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said the party has begun engaging INEC over the omissions.
“The party is committed to ensuring that all legitimate concerns are properly addressed with the commission,” he said, urging members to remain calm.
*Cross River, Benue candidates react*
In Cross River, where the NDC and ADC candidates were affected, an NDC candidate said the omission was a bureaucratic error.
“The omission is a bureaucratic error by INEC, not peculiar to Cross River. Kano and six other states were also affected. On Monday, INEC and stakeholders will engage to sort out the matter,” he said.
However, Effiong Nyong, who is contending the ticket with him, said, “There is a matter in court over the ticket. Until the matter is resolved, INEC cannot input anyone’s name.”
In Benue, the SDP governorship candidate, Prof. Sebastine Hon, SAN, who was also omitted, described it as an error that would be corrected and urged supporters to remain calm.
“I believe this is just a minor error. It will be corrected,” he said.
Candidates listed in Benue include Governor Hyacinth Alia of the APC; Nyibiam Kwaghshir of ADP; Adagba Iorhen of APM; Herman Hembe of ADC; Engole Ujah of APP; Ochenehi Dominic of DLA; Mathias Byuan of LP; Prof. Terhemba Shija of NDC; Paul Wombo of NRM; Roseline Chenge of PRP; Michael Aondoakaa of PDP; and Simon Ogbe of ZLP.
*Delta list shows 18 candidates*
In Delta, 18 governorship candidates are on the INEC list, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of the APC, who is seeking re-election.
Others include Great Ogboru of the ADC and Peter Mrakpor, SAN, of the PDP. Ogboru, 68, is the oldest on the list, while Obuseh Felix Ogechukwu of the SDP, 35, is the youngest.
However, the list contains a gender discrepancy, with NDC candidate Chris Iyovwaye recorded as female.
The list also includes Esther James as LP governorship candidate, and female deputy governorship candidates such as Chinwe Regina Ejidoh of ADC and Elohor Maureen Amakpo of NNPP.
INEC has also captured the restored Abraka, Isoko North II and Ughelli South constituencies in the State Assembly list.