INEC disowns fake notice on six states as parties seek candidates’ inclusion

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disowned an online publication purporting to be a special announcement on governorship candidates in six states ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The commission identified the affected states as Zamfara, Gombe, Delta, Plateau, Yobe and Kano, urging Nigerians to disregard the publication and rely on its verified communication channels for electoral information.

In a statement, INEC described the publication as fraudulent, insisting that it did not originate from the commission.

“The Commission wishes to categorically inform the general public that the publication is FAKE and did not originate from INEC,” the statement read in part.

“INEC therefore urges members of the public to disregard the fraudulent publication and refrain from sharing it.”

The warning comes amid growing concerns over the omission of several governorship candidates from INEC’s final list for the 2027 elections, prompting affected political parties and groups to seek clarification from the electoral commission.

In Kano State, the Kwankwassiyya Movement has vowed to engage INEC over the omission of Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) deputy governorship candidate, and his principal, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, from the published list.

The movement’s spokesperson, Habibu Mohammed, said the omissions came as a surprise, insisting that the affected candidates had fulfilled the requirements for registration.

Speaking on Arise Television, Mohammed said the movement would explore the legal options available to candidates whose names were omitted.

“It came as a shock because there had been no issue with INEC. Kwankwas, a former deputy governor, is registered with the NDC and met the stipulated deadline,” he said.

Mohammed added that electoral provisions allow affected candidates 14 days to seek redress over omissions from the list.

“We will explore that opportunity and engage with INEC,” he said.

The spokesperson also said the movement was unaware of any court judgment or order that could have justified the omission, expressing confidence that the matter could be resolved through engagement and the available legal procedures.

The NDC has similarly described the omission as an error and said it was seeking a correction.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun engaging INEC over the absence of its governorship candidates from the final lists for Ogun and Gombe states.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the PDP was pursuing an amicable resolution in accordance with the law and established electoral guidelines.

He assured affected candidates, party members and supporters that the matter was receiving attention and that further updates would be communicated as necessary.

The PDP also urged its members to remain calm and patient while discussions with the commission continued.

The party cautioned against actions or statements that could undermine the ongoing engagements, reiterating its commitment to resolving the dispute through lawful means.

INEC published its final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 governorship elections on Saturday.

The list, signed by the commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and published on its website, contained 13 candidates in Ogun State and 16 in Gombe State, but did not include a PDP candidate in either state.

Those omitted included Ladi Adebutu, the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, and Isa Ali Pantami, the party’s candidate in Gombe State.

The omissions have triggered efforts by the affected parties and political groups to obtain clarification from INEC and pursue possible remedies under the law.

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