2027 Elections: NDC Issues INEC Fresh Ultimatum Over Missing Candidates

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the inclusion of five governorship candidates and their running mates in the final list for the February 6, 2027 elections.

The party conveyed its demand in a letter jointly signed by its National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, and National Secretary, Barrister Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu.

According to the NDC, the affected candidates and their deputies were duly nominated to contest the forthcoming governorship elections, and their absence from INEC’s published list should be corrected.

The party’s ticket in Kano State comprises Abdulsalam Aminu Gwarzo as the governorship candidate and Rabiu Mustapha as his running mate. In Cross River State, it nominated Odey John Upan and Archibong Stella Charles, while Laah Danfuma Tella and Sani Bashir are its candidates in Kaduna State.

The other affected tickets are Muktar Faruk Alhaji and Ayuba Shamsudeen in Kebbi State, alongside Odusina Bolaji Marie and Adeyemni Yunus Adesina in Ogun State.

The NDC detailed its grievances in a letter titled “Omission of Names of Our Gubernatorial and Their Deputies.” While acknowledging INEC’s efforts to ensure credible elections, the party called on the commission to correct the omissions by adding the affected names to the final list.

INEC had published its final list of governorship candidates on October 10.

The publication has since triggered objections from politicians and political parties whose candidates were left out, with some seeking explanations from the electoral commission.

INEC has explained that some candidates were excluded because their parties failed to comply with legal requirements governing the submission of membership registers and the conduct of primaries. The commission referred to a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, concerning provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

Under the relevant provisions, political parties are required to submit their membership registers to INEC within the stipulated timeframe, while participation in party primaries is restricted to members listed in the submitted registers.

The commission maintained that some candidates were omitted because their parties had not satisfied the applicable membership-register requirements before conducting their primaries.

The exclusions reportedly affect candidates from different political parties, including PDP governorship hopefuls in Gombe and Ogun states.

However, the NDC has yet to disclose the steps it intends to take should INEC fail to comply with its 72-hour demand.

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