Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has advised governorship candidates excluded from the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) final list to abandon plans to challenge the decision in court. Sani believes that the affected politicians should accept the outcome and begin preparing for future elections rather than spend money and energy pursuing what he describes as a lost battle. This advice comes after INEC released its final list of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, excluding several notable figures.
Among those affected by the exclusions are former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo. The omissions follow a Supreme Court judgement that upheld provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 relating to political party membership registers and INEC's timetable for the 2027 elections. The judgement has been cited as the reason for the exclusions.
Sani's advice is based on the Supreme Court ruling, which he believes is clear on the matter. He has also appealed to lawyers representing the affected politicians to discourage them from filing fresh lawsuits over the exclusions. Sani urges senior legal practitioners to allow the candidates to redirect their attention towards future political contests rather than incur further legal expenses. He believes that the candidates should focus on strategizing for the future rather than pursuing a lost battle.
INEC released its final list after its chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, said the commission had received complaints from political parties and aggrieved aspirants over the implications of the Supreme Court judgement on candidates' eligibility. Amupitan disclosed at a press conference in Abuja that the commission received a certified true copy of the judgement and was reviewing it to determine its next steps. The commission's decision has been met with mixed reactions from the affected parties.
The Supreme Court judgement in question, delivered on September 24, 2026, affirmed the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026. It also upheld INEC's revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections. The judgement has significant implications for the eligibility of candidates in the upcoming elections. INEC has stated that political parties will not be allowed to participate in the elections if they field candidates whose names are absent from the membership registers submitted to the commission within the stipulated period.
Mohammed Haruna, INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, has reiterated that affected parties will also be barred from substituting such candidates. He added that political parties that violate the requirements will not be allowed to benefit from their actions. The commission's stance has been made clear, and the affected candidates will have to explore other options.
The exclusions have significant implications for the affected candidates and their parties. Pantami's name was missing from the final list of governorship candidates for Gombe State, despite his bid to contest the election. Adebutu and Gwarzo were also excluded from the list, alongside their running mates. The affected parties will have to regroup and strategize for future elections.
Key points
- Shehu Sani advises candidates excluded from INEC's final list to abandon plans to challenge the decision in court.
- The Supreme Court judgement upheld provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 relating to political party membership registers and INEC's timetable for the 2027 elections.
- INEC has barred affected parties from substituting candidates and will not allow political parties that violate the requirements to benefit from their actions.
