INEC gives parties until October 24 to challenge omissions from the governorship list as Pantami's supporters cry foul
INEC said parties that believe their governorship candidates were wrongly omitted from the final list have 14 days to notify it, a deadline of October 24 (Punch, Leadership, Vanguard, Channels TV, ThisDay). ThisDay and Leadership tied the window to Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026. Leadership named Pantami, Adebutu and Gwarzo among those affected. Vanguard linked the deadline to a Supreme Court ruling; Daily Trust said the court upheld INEC's revised timetable and affirmed Sections 77(5) to 77(7) of the Act. MURIC called Pantami's omission impunity and contempt of court (Vanguard, one outlet). The Ogun APC campaign council denied involvement in Adebutu's omission (Punch). INEC's reasons for each omission were not seen.
The commission's list decides who can be voted for. Fourteen days is a tight window, and disputes over who is the real candidate have a way of reaching the courts.
If your state's governorship list is disputed, check INEC's website for the final list after October 24 before assuming your party's candidate is on the ballot.
INEC says it is following the law and giving parties a fair chance to correct errors.
Affected parties say the omissions are unlawful, and in Ogun the APC campaign council felt obliged to deny any part in one of them.
October 24 is the first real test of the new Electoral Act's process. Watch how many parties file, whether INEC reinstates anyone, and whether the matter goes to court.
DailyDrop Nigeria edition No. 10 · Morning · WED., OCT. 14, 2026