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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates vying for various elective positions across the country in the 2027 elections.
The release of the final list triggered various reactions from politicians and their supporters in various political parties and groups.
The list published by the commission on its website on Saturday contained the names of 18 candidates competing in the presidential election, as well as the names of gubernatorial and National Assembly candidates.
The names of the presidential candidates include President Bola Tinubu of the APC, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, Peter Obi of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who is registered under the Allied People’s Movement.
The list also includes gubernatorial candidates in 26 states, including Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Rivers and Zamfara.
A number of prominent names appear to be missing from the list including former Communications Minister, Isa Pantami, PDP gubernatorial candidate in Gombe State; Ladi Adebutu, the party’s candidate in Ogun State, and the governorship candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress in Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo.
Adebutu’s running mate, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, was also absent. The Accord Party gubernatorial candidate in Ogun, Alhaji Olaniyi Agbongboakala, is also missing.
It remains unclear whether these omissions have anything to do with the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the requirements that political parties must meet in selecting candidates for elected office.
The decision raised questions about the validity of some nominations, including compliance with party membership requirements and the conduct of primaries.
