The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is dealing with mounting stress over the exclusion of some candidates from its closing record for the 2027 elections, with the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) petitioning the fee over omissions in Kano and Oyo states, respectively, whereas a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant in Ogun State has threatened authorized motion.
The improvement comes as President Bola Tinubu on Friday nominated 5 new officers to the electoral physique and reappointed its National Commissioner representing the North-east, Dr Bala Bila, amid preparations for the forthcoming normal election. The president nominated 4 nationwide commissioners and two resident electoral commissioners, with the Senate anticipated to scrutinise the nominees.
In Kano, lots of of supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement stormed the state workplace of INEC to protest the omission of their governorship candidate from the ultimate record.
The protesters, led by the deputy governorship candidate, Mustapha Kwankwaso, on behalf of Aminu Gwarzo, submitted a proper petition demanding the reinstatement of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate.
Responding, the Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdu Zango, mentioned the fee had obtained the criticism and would give it due consideration.
“Basically, what they came to do is to present a complaint about the omission of their candidates. INEC has made the point very clear, the reason for the omission and the fact that there is a window of appeal that has been provided up to the 24th of October,” Zango mentioned.
He added that the petition can be forwarded to the fee’s nationwide headquarters for consideration, commending the protesters for presenting their grievances peacefully.
Zango mentioned INEC in Kano remained impartial and urged residents to proceed amassing their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), noting that assortment would quickly be prolonged to Registration Areas to enhance accessibility.
The spokesperson for the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr Habib Mohammed, mentioned the protest was not solely to demand the reinstatement of the candidates but additionally to petition in opposition to an INEC workers member allegedly concerned within the substitution of some candidates.
“We are also petitioning against a staff here, whom we believe colluded with some unauthorised people to hide a decision which led to substitution of some of our candidates,” Mohammed mentioned.
He alleged that letters bearing suspected solid signatures had been submitted to INEC, ensuing within the substitution of the candidates. He referred to as for an investigation into the workers member’s alleged position, including that the Resident Electoral Commissioner had assured the delegation that the petition can be escalated to the nationwide headquarters.
Oyo NNPP Candidate Petitions INEC Chairman
In Oyo State, the governorship candidate of the NNPP, Adebiyi Adedapo, petitioned the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, over the omission of his title from the ultimate record of governorship candidates for the 2027 election.
In an open letter dated October 15, Adedapo urged the fee to research the omission and take corrective motion in accordance with the regulation.
He mentioned he emerged because the social gathering’s duly nominated candidate following a consensus main performed below the supervision of its National Secretary, Oginni Sunday, in accordance with the social gathering’s structure and electoral tips.
According to him, the NNPP submitted his candidature to INEC, whereas his EC9 type was displayed on the fee’s Oyo State workplace, giving him purpose to anticipate that his title would seem on the ultimate record.
Adedapo mentioned he had by no means withdrawn from the race and had neither submitted nor authorised anybody to submit a withdrawal letter on his behalf.
“I have never withdrawn my candidature from the Oyo State governorship election. I have neither submitted nor authorised the submission of any letter of withdrawal to INEC, the NNPP, or any person or institution acting on my behalf,” he mentioned.
He referred to as on INEC to reveal any doc purporting to indicate that he had withdrawn, together with its supply and date of receipt, and to research any unauthorised withdrawal or substitution.
The candidate additionally urged the fee to confirm his nomination information, present a written rationalization for the omission, protect all related paperwork and apply any lawful cures required to make sure that his title seems on the poll.
He mentioned he was ready to offer proof of his nomination, main outcomes, submitted particulars and social gathering correspondence to help the investigation.
Tinubu Reappoints Bila, Nominates Five New INEC Officials
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has nominated 4 new nationwide commissioners and two resident electoral commissioners to fill vacancies at INEC arising from expiring tenures, whereas reappointing Bila because the National Commissioner representing the North-east.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga disclosed the nominations in a press release on Friday, saying the nominees can be scrutinised by the Senate.
The new nationwide commissioner nominees are Professor Mustapha Aliu, who’s to interchange Professor Abdullahi Zuru because the North-west consultant, and Bashir Muhammed Umar, who’s to interchange Professor Muhammad Adamu because the North-central consultant.
The president additionally nominated Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the resident electoral commissioner in Osun State, because the South-west nationwide commissioner to interchange Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on October 24, 2026.
The two nominees for resident electoral commissioner positions are retired everlasting secretary Dr Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, representing Ekiti State, and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa State, who’s to interchange Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura.
Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite affirmation of the nominees in view of the forthcoming normal election scheduled for 2027.
Ogun PDP Aspirant Threatens Legal Action
In Ogun State, governorship aspirant Olusegun Peter Topa gave INEC 48 hours to publish his title because the PDP’s duly nominated candidate for the February 2027 governorship election or face attainable authorized motion.
In a letter dated October 14 and addressed to the INEC chairman by his lawyer, Anderson Asemota of Neplus Ultra Attorneys, Topa argued that he had fulfilled the necessities for nomination and needs to be included within the closing record.
He mentioned he obtained the social gathering’s Expression of Interest and nomination kinds on May 12, 2026, and took part in its governorship main performed on May 27, 2026.
INEC printed its closing record of governorship candidates on October 10 however excluded the PDP from the race in Ogun State.
Topa’s lawyer maintained that his shopper’s title appeared as entry quantity 15783 on the PDP membership register submitted to INEC in compliance with Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026.
He argued that the fee had a statutory obligation to publish the particulars of duly nominated candidates, topic to relevant legal guidelines and any binding court docket choices.
The lawyer urged INEC to confirm Topa’s membership standing, look at the social gathering’s main and nomination information, set up the premise for the exclusion and supply a written rationalization.
He additional requested the fee to publish a supplementary or amended record containing Topa’s title if its information confirmed his nomination and no lawful foundation existed for excluding him.
Asemota warned that his shopper had instructed his legal professionals to contemplate instituting proceedings earlier than a reliable court docket if INEC failed to offer a substantive response inside 48 hours or the omission endured with no lawful rationalization.
Alex Enumah, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano,
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