The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disowned a fake online publication claiming to be a special announcement on governorship candidates in six states.
Politics Nigeria reports that the commission identified the affected states as Zamfara, Gombe, Delta, Plateau, Yobe and Kano.
It urged members of the public to disregard the publication and rely on its verified communication channels for electoral information.
INEC said the publication did not originate from the commission and described it as fraudulent.
“The Commission wishes to categorically inform the general public that the publication is FAKE and did not originate from INEC,” the statement partly read.
“INEC therefore urges members of the public to disregard the fraudulent publication and refrain from sharing it.”
The commission’s warning comes amid concerns over the omission of several candidates from its final list of governorship candidates for the 2027 elections.
In Kano State, the Kwankwassiyya Movement has vowed to engage INEC over the omission of Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) deputy governorship candidate, and his principal, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, from the final list.
Habibu Mohammed, spokesperson for the movement, said the omissions came as a shock, insisting that the candidates had met the requirements for registration.
Speaking on Arise Television, Mohammed said the movement would explore the legal provisions available to candidates whose names were omitted from the commission’s list.
“It came as a shock because there had been no issue with INEC. Kwankwas, a former deputy governor, is registered with the NDC and met the stipulated deadline,” he said.
He added that electoral provisions allow affected candidates 14 days to seek redress over omissions from the list.
“We will explore that opportunity and engage with INEC,” Mohammed said.
The spokesperson maintained that the movement was unaware of any court judgment or order that could have justified the omission.
He expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved through engagement with the commission and the available legal procedures.
The NDC has also described the omission as an error and said it is seeking a correction.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also begun engaging INEC over the omission of its governorship candidates in Ogun and Gombe states.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the party was working towards an amicable resolution in line with the law and established electoral guidelines.
He assured affected candidates, members and supporters that the party was treating the matter seriously and would communicate further developments when necessary.
The PDP also urged those affected to remain calm and exercise patience while discussions with the commission continued.
This was just as the party warned against actions or statements that could undermine the ongoing engagements with INEC, stressing its commitment to addressing the concerns through lawful means.
INEC released its final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 governorship elections on Saturday.
The list, signed by the commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and published on its website, contained 13 candidates in Ogun State and 16 in Gombe State, with no PDP candidate listed in either state.
Among those omitted were Ladi Adebutu, the PDP candidate in Ogun State, and Isa Ali Pantami, the party’s candidate in Gombe State.
