PDP and NDC Consider Legal Action Against INEC Over Candidate Exclusions

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have threatened to sue the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the exclusion of certain candidates from the final list for the February 6, 2027 governorship elections. Both parties have contacted INEC to seek the inclusion of their affected candidates but have not received satisfactory responses.

PDP National Publicity Secretary Mohammed Jungudo and NDC counterpart Osa Director expressed their positions in separate interviews, indicating a willingness to approach the courts if the matter is not resolved by the October 24, 2026 deadline. The final list was published by INEC on October 10, following a Supreme Court judgment regarding political party membership and registration.

Among those omitted are Isa Pantami, the PDP candidate in Gombe State, and Aminu Gwarzo, the NDC candidate in Kano State. INEC stated that some parties failed to submit required membership registers, leading to these exclusions.