MURIC Questions INEC Over Omission of Opposition Governorship Candidates

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain the omission of several opposition governorship candidates from its published list, warning that the development could raise concerns about the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

The Islamic human rights organisation described the omissions as disturbing, questioning the criteria used by the electoral commission to determine which candidates were included on the list.

The organisation’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, raised the concerns in a statement issued on Monday, October 12, 2026, calling for transparency in INEC’s handling of the candidate list.

Among those reportedly omitted are former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, and Chief Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu, the party’s governorship candidate in Ogun State.

MURIC also cited the omission of Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, as well as candidates of the NDC and African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River State.

Akintola questioned why the reported omissions appeared to affect opposition candidates, particularly those from parties capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He also asked whether any governorship candidate of the ruling party had suffered a similar omission, arguing that the development raised questions about the criteria INEC applied in preparing the list.

MURIC further questioned the inclusion of a ruling-party governorship candidate in Enugu State who, according to the organisation, had previously resigned as a minister following allegations involving his academic credentials.

The organisation argued that the reported disparity required clarification from INEC to establish whether it had applied its requirements consistently to candidates across political parties.

Akintola warned that the situation could create public suspicion about the electoral process and urged the commission to address the concerns as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.

He maintained that the Tinubu administration should be judged on its performance rather than through actions that could be perceived as placing opposition parties at a disadvantage.

The MURIC director also cited what he described as positive developments in the Federal Government’s economic reform programme, including the removal of petrol subsidy, the floating of the naira and the student loan scheme.

He referred to a World Bank report on Nigeria’s economic policy direction, arguing that the administration should be allowed to make its case to voters through its policies and performance.

According to him, the reported omissions could undermine public confidence in both the electoral commission and the administration, despite what he described as progress in the government’s reform agenda.

Akintola further cautioned that the international community would closely monitor Nigeria’s electoral preparations for developments that could raise questions about the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to consider the implications of the controversy surrounding INEC’s handling of the candidate list.

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MURIC urged the electoral commission to clarify the circumstances surrounding the omissions and ensure that its decisions on candidates are transparent and consistent with the applicable electoral requirements.

The organisation said addressing the concerns would be important in protecting public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.