As reactions continue to trail the release of the final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship elections, a coalition of civil society groups has appealed to Nigerians not to rush to blame the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) said the omission of a candidate’s name does not always mean the electoral commission acted unfairly.
The group explained that court judgments, legal disputes, problems arising from party primaries and failure to meet nomination requirements could all lead to a candidate being left off the final list.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Dr. Tabuko Kennedy, COCSON said the publication of the final list is an important step that keeps the election process on track.
The coalition stated, “The absence of a candidate’s name does not automatically imply deliberate exclusion or wrongdoing by the Commission. Such situations may arise from court judgments, litigation, disputes over party primaries, failure to meet statutory nomination requirements or other legal and procedural issues.”
It urged affected candidates to first seek clarification from INEC before making public accusations against the Commission.
The group also advised political parties to ensure they follow the law during their nomination processes to avoid unnecessary disputes.
COCSON called on politicians and their supporters to reject violence, intimidation and hate speech as campaigns gather momentum.
It also appealed to security agencies to remain neutral and professional throughout the election period.
The coalition said peaceful and credible elections can only be achieved when INEC, political parties, candidates and voters all respect the law and play their roles responsibly.