2027: INEC announces date to release final list of Gov, Assembly candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it will publish the final list of candidates contesting the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

In a post on X on Wednesday, the commission said its chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made the revelation during a world press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

It said the publication would mark an important stage in its preparations for the 2027 general elections, with political parties expected to have their candidates formally confirmed for the state-level contests.

The electoral body also provided updates on the number of political parties that had submitted candidates, the voter register, Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), election technology and funding.

According to INEC, 21 of the 22 registered political parties nominated candidates for the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

The parties submitted 936 governorship and deputy governorship candidates and 9,692 candidates for various State House of Assembly seats.

The commission had earlier published the personal particulars of the nominated candidates as required under the electoral timetable.

The final list is expected to reflect subsequent withdrawals, substitutions and other changes that occurred during the nomination process.

“18 of the 22 registered political parties submitted 36 presidential and vice-presidential candidates, while the Final List of Candidates for the National Assembly was published on 12th September 2026.

“The final list for governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates will be published on 10th October 2026,” INEC said.