The Action Alliance (AA) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a 48-hour ultimatum to review and correct its published list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, claiming that validly nominated candidates from its leadership were deliberately omitted. The party’s National Chairman, Chief Barrister Kenneth Udeze, issued the demand in a statement on Sunday, asserting that the current list fails to reflect candidates officially approved by the party’s National Executive Committee under his leadership.
Udeze emphasized that the Court of Appeal has already affirmed the legitimacy of his leadership, making the exclusion of AA’s candidates from INEC’s publication both unlawful and unjust. He stated that the candidates were selected through primaries conducted within the legal timelines set by the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates that all political parties submit their candidates for public disclosure. According to the party, INEC’s failure to include these names violates key provisions of the law governing electoral processes.
The Action Alliance maintains that the omission is not accidental but a deliberate oversight that undermines democratic principles and the party’s right to participate fully in the electoral process. The party insists that its candidates are legally qualified and properly vetted, having gone through internal nomination procedures as required by law. They argue that INEC must act swiftly to rectify this error to ensure transparency and fairness ahead of the upcoming elections.
In the statement, Udeze warned that if INEC does not respond within the stipulated 48 hours, the party will pursue all available legal remedies to challenge the omission. He also called on civil society organizations, media outlets, and other stakeholders to closely monitor the situation and hold INEC accountable for compliance with electoral regulations. This development adds to growing concerns about the integrity and inclusivity of candidate registration processes leading up to the 2027 polls.
The issue highlights ongoing tensions between political parties and electoral management bodies in Nigeria, particularly around issues of representation and adherence to legal frameworks. As the 2027 general elections approach, such disputes underscore the importance of timely, accurate, and transparent electoral administration. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how parties address discrepancies in candidate lists and how INEC responds to legal challenges during the pre-election phase.
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