INEC Publishes Final Candidate List, See the Big Names That Didn’t Make It

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, bringing months of political uncertainty to an end and confirming the exclusion of several prominent politicians from the race.

Among the notable names missing from the list is former President Goodluck Jonathan, whose candidacy had earlier been submitted to INEC by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Also absent are Senator Ned Nwoko of Delta North, former Ogun State Governor and Ogun East Senator, Gbenga Daniel, former Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje, and Senator Garba Maidoki of Kebbi South.

Nwoko’s omission confirms his defeat in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary. His name did not appear on the list displayed at the INEC office in Asaba, Delta State, with former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa emerging as the APC candidate for Delta North Senatorial District.

The development comes despite earlier assurances by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that the APC leadership was working to address complaints from lawmakers who lost their return tickets during the party’s primary elections.

Although the APC later reinstated six serving senators after reviewing petitions submitted to its Primary Election Appeal Committee, several influential politicians were not returned to the final list forwarded to INEC.

In Gombe State, former Governor Danjuma Goje failed to secure the APC ticket for Gombe Central Senatorial District after losing to retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmed.

On the PDP platform, former Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo emerged as the party’s candidate for Gombe North Senatorial District, while Senator Anthony Siyako secured the ticket for Gombe South.

In Bauchi State, Senator Shehu Buba of Bauchi South and House of Representatives member Mansur Soro, representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, were also absent from the final list.

Buba, who was elected on the APC platform, will not seek re-election after defecting to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), where he clinched the party’s governorship ticket.

Soro had earlier announced that he would not contest the Bauchi Central Senatorial seat or seek another term in the House of Representatives.

The APC’s review of its primary elections also resulted in the reinstatement of six serving senators: Sunday Karimi, Emmanuel Udende, Titus Zam, Shuaibu Isa Lau, Adeniyi Adegbonmire and Olajide Ipinsagba.

In Abia State, Prince Paul Ikonne replaced Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu as the APC candidate for Abia South.

Another major outcome of the review was the reversal of former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam’s earlier victory, with incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende eventually retaining the party’s ticket.

With the release of the final candidate list, INEC has formally confirmed those cleared to contest the 2027 general elections, setting the stage for intensified campaigns ahead of the polls.