ABUJA, Nigeria — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Action Democratic Party (ADP) and Labour Party (LP) have said they complied with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) October 24 deadline for addressing the omission of their candidates from the commission’s published lists ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The declarations came as affected parties and candidates awaited further clarification from INEC on the status of the omitted names, including prominent governorship aspirants whose eligibility to contest remains uncertain.
The PDP confirmed that it had met the deadline through its National Organising Secretary, Captain Umar Bature (retd.), who told Vanguard that the party completed the required corrections within the stipulated period.
“Yes, we met the deadline since,” Bature said.
Among the PDP candidates affected by the omissions were its governorship candidates in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, and Gombe State, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, alongside several candidates contesting seats in state Houses of Assembly.
The omissions generated concern within the party, particularly because the affected politicians were preparing for the 2027 electoral contests. The party had previously indicated that it was engaging the electoral commission over the matter and could consider legal options if the dispute remained unresolved.
The NDC and ADP also confirmed compliance with the deadline.
NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director told Vanguard that the party had met the commission’s requirement, responding: “Yes, we did.”
Similarly, ADP National Chairman, Engineer Yabagi Yusuf Sani, confirmed that his party had complied.
“We did. Thanks a lot,” he said.
The Labour Party also maintained that it remained in good standing with INEC regarding the correction of names and replacement of candidates.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said the party was confident about the prospects of its candidates in the forthcoming elections.
“The Labour Party is in good standing with INEC, including on matters relating to the correction of names and replacement of candidates,” Asogwa said.
Despite these assurances, meeting the deadline does not automatically establish that the electoral commission has approved every requested correction or restored all omitted names to its official lists. The final status of the affected candidates depends on INEC’s response and any applicable legal requirements.
Why INEC set the deadline
The dispute followed the publication of INEC’s final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship elections on October 10, after a Supreme Court judgment concerning statutory requirements for political party membership registers.
In a statement issued on October 13, the commission explained that some candidates had been excluded because their parties did not comply with the membership-register requirements under Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The Supreme Court’s September 24 judgment in the case involving INEC and the Zenith Labour Party upheld the relevant provisions governing the submission and use of party membership registers.
INEC subsequently gave parties that believed their candidates had been wrongly omitted 14 days from the publication of the list to notify the commission of the alleged errors. October 24 was set as the deadline for submitting those complaints under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The commission said its actions were guided by the applicable law and the need to comply with the court’s judgment.
The deadline therefore provided an opportunity for affected parties to formally challenge omissions they considered incorrect. However, the filing of a complaint or correction request is distinct from INEC’s final determination of a candidate’s status.
ADC candidate in Cross River awaits clarification
Attention has also focused on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its affected candidates, including Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo in Cross River State.
Toyo told Vanguard that she had completed the steps required of her before the deadline expired but was still waiting for the commission to publish further information.
She said the deadline had passed without the expected clarification on her status.
When contacted, INEC’s Head of Voter Education in Cross River State, Osaro Aisen, said the matter was being handled at the commission’s national headquarters in Abuja and involved legal considerations.
“The whole thing is handled from Abuja and it is a legal matter. Let’s see what will come forth tomorrow (Monday),” Aisen said, according to the newspaper.
He added that he could not provide a categorical answer at the time.
The uncertainty has left affected candidates waiting to learn whether the commission will accept their submissions and take further action concerning their names.
INEC clarification expected
As the deadline has now passed, the immediate focus is on INEC’s response to the submissions made by the affected parties and candidates.
The commission’s clarification is particularly important because the controversy involves not only administrative corrections but also the legal requirements governing eligibility to contest elections.
The PDP, NDC, ADP and LP have publicly maintained that they met the deadline, while affected candidates have continued to seek confirmation of their individual positions. The ADC’s position and the final status of its affected candidates also require clarification from the commission.
Until INEC provides definitive information, claims that the parties met the deadline should not be confused with confirmation that all omitted candidates have been reinstated.
The outcome could have implications for preparations for the 2027 governorship elections, particularly in states where prominent candidates were absent from the published lists.
For the affected politicians, parties and supporters, the next decisive development will be an official explanation from INEC on the submissions received, the corrections accepted and the legal status of candidates whose names were omitted.
The commission’s handling of the matter will remain under scrutiny as political parties seek clarity over candidate eligibility and compliance with the Electoral Act ahead of the elections.
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