By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday released the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, ending months of uncertainty over party nominations. The list, published nationwide, confirmed the candidates cleared by political parties to contest the elections. It also revealed that several serving lawmakers and prominent politicians, including APC and PDP figures, failed to secure places after party primaries and internal reviews.
INEC Ends Months of Political Uncertainty
The release of the final candidates’ list marked the conclusion of a prolonged nomination process across political parties.
Several aspirants who challenged the outcome of their party primaries had hoped to return through appeal processes. However, the final list confirmed that many influential politicians remained excluded.
The publication came two months after Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured APC lawmakers who lost return tickets that the party leadership was working to resolve grievances from the primaries.
APC Review Restores Six Serving Senators
Last month, the APC National Working Committee reviewed recommendations from its Primary Election Appeal Committee.
Following the review, the party overturned several senatorial primary results and reinstated six serving senators.
The reinstated lawmakers include:
- Sunday Karimi
- Emmanuel Udende
- Titus Zam
- Shuaibu Isa Lau
- Adeniyi Adegbonmire
- Olajide Ipinsagba
The review covered primary elections conducted in Kogi, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Abia, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi states.
Additionally, the APC replaced Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu with Prince Paul Ikonne as its senatorial candidate for Abia South.
One major decision reversed former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam’s earlier victory. Consequently, the party restored the ticket to incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende.
Bauchi Lawmakers Missing From Final List
Despite the review, two serving federal lawmakers from Bauchi State did not appear on INEC’s final candidates’ list.
They are Senator Shehu Buba, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, and Mansur Soro, representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency.
Earlier, Soro announced that he would neither contest the Bauchi Central Senatorial seat nor seek another term in the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, Senator Buba left the APC and joined the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), where he secured the party’s governorship ticket. As a result, he did not seek re-election under the APC.
Delta, Gombe Political Heavyweights Lose Out
The final list also confirmed the absence of several high-profile politicians.
In Delta State, Senator Ned Nwoko did not make the APC senatorial list displayed at the INEC office in Asaba.
Instead, former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa emerged as the APC’s senatorial candidate. This outcome confirmed Nwoko’s defeat during the party’s primary election.
Similarly, former Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje failed to secure the APC senatorial ticket. Mohammed Ahmed, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, won the party’s nomination instead.
On the PDP platform, former Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo secured the Gombe North Senatorial ticket, while Senator Anthony Siyako emerged as the party’s candidate for Gombe South.
Other Prominent Politicians Excluded
Several other notable politicians also failed to appear on the final candidates’ list.
They include:
- Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North)
- Former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East)
- Former Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central)
- Senator Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South)
The list also excluded former President Goodluck Jonathan, despite claims by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party that it had nominated him as its presidential candidate.
Final Candidates Set Stage for 2027 Elections
INEC’s publication of the final candidates’ list now shifts political attention to campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While some politicians successfully reclaimed their tickets through internal party reviews, many others will remain outside the race after failing to secure nominations.
