INEC TO PARTIES: FILE FORMAL COMPLAINTS, NOT MEDIA REPORTS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has demanded formal complaints from political parties whose candidates were omitted from its final list for the 2027 general elections, saying it will not respond to media reports about the missing names.

The INEC demands formal complaints directive has thrown the ball back into the court of the affected parties, some of whom have opted for negotiation while others have activated legal proceedings.

THE DIRECTIVE

INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ogun State, Mrs Feyijimi Saseyi, urged candidates who noticed omissions in the published list to formally lodge complaints with the commission for necessary action.

She explained that complaints received would be escalated to the appropriate authorities at INEC’s national headquarters for necessary action. The commission’s position is that it will not respond to media reports about the missing candidates and the affected political parties.

Formal complaints, not press statements, are the required channel.

THE AFFECTED PARTIES

Multiple political parties have reported the omission of their governorship candidates from INEC’s final list. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had its governorship candidates in Ogun and Gombe states missing from the list.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) had its candidate in Cross River omitted, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had its candidate in Benue missing .

In Kano, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, and his running mate, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, were omitted.

NDC House of Representatives candidate in Kano, Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kotamata, attributed the omission to an error in entering the candidates’ details, saying the party had received assurances that INEC was working to correct it .

The NDC’s Cross River governorship candidate, John Upan Odey Jr., also described the omission as a “bureaucratic error,” saying other states were affected.

DIFFERENT APPROACHES

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The NDC and the SDP have taken different approaches to the crisis. The NDC said it had not gone to court, insisting that it was discussing with INEC to resolve the discrepancies and would explore the 14-day window provided by the Electoral Act 2026 to correct errors identified in its submission.

“We have not gone to court. As a party, we are still discussing with INEC to arrive on the same 14-day window provided by the Electoral Act 2026 to correct the errors that are noted in the publication,” NDC National Publicity Secretary Araba Director said. “We are exploring all legal and constitutional means to ensure that all our candidates are duly recognised”.

But the SDP said it had begun the legal process. “We have done the affidavit, we are with it, we have served INEC. We have hope in the judiciary; the process, we have activated it,” SDP National Publicity Secretary Araba Rufus Abiyegba said.

THE PDP’S POSITION

The PDP said it had begun engaging INEC to resolve the omissions in accordance with electoral laws and guidelines.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said the party was treating the matter seriously and remained committed to ensuring the legitimacy concerns were addressed.

In Ogun State, PDP governorship candidate Oladipupo Adebutu said his omission did not signify the end of his ambition, insisting that he had completed his digital registration and submitted the required documentation within the stipulated period.

In Benue, SDP candidate Prof. Sebastian Hon, SAN, expressed optimism that his omission would be corrected.

THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, a registered political party that discovers its candidate’s name is missing must notify INEC in writing within 14 days of publication.

The notification must be signed by the party’s national chairman and secretary and supported by an affidavit. The affected parties have 14 days from October 10 to file the notification. The window closes on or about October 24.

WHY IT MATTERS

The omissions have raised serious questions about INEC’s processes and about the fairness of the 2027 election. If the omissions are the result of administrative errors, they should be corrected. If they are the result of non-compliance with the law, they should be explained.

Either way, INEC owes Nigerians an explanation. And the affected parties must follow the formal process if they want their candidates on the ballot. ValidViewNetwork reports that INEC has demanded formal complaints. The clock is ticking on the 14-day window.