INEC Defends Final 2027 Candidate List Amid Party Disputes

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing disputes from multiple political parties following the release of its final candidate list for the 2027 general elections. In Kano, the New Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is seeking to resolve the omission of its governorship candidate, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo. Habibu Saleh Mohammed, spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya Movement in the NDC, described the omission as an error, asserting that the party submitted all required details on time and faces no legal challenges.

Similar disputes emerged in Jigawa State, where the African Democratic Congress (ADC) claims INEC omitted seven candidates and replaced its endorsed deputy governorship candidate, Aminu Ringim, with Musa Ya’u Balarabe. ADC Deputy State Chairman Nuraddeen Jidawa characterized these omissions as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the party and stated that the ADC does not consider the list final.

INEC officials have rejected requests for unilateral changes. Adamu Sawaba, INEC's Head of Department for Voter Education and Publicity in Jigawa State, maintained that the list is final and guided by the Electoral Act, specifically regarding party membership registration. Sawaba stated that any aggrieved parties must seek redress through the courts, as the commission cannot alter names once the list is finalized.