The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed a viral online publication claiming to be an official announcement concerning governorship candidates in six states ahead of the 2027 elections.
The commission identified the affected states as Zamfara, Gombe, Delta, Plateau, Yobe and Kano, describing the circulating document as fake and warning Nigerians against sharing it.
In a public notice issued on Monday, October 12, 2026, INEC clarified that the publication did not originate from the commission. It urged members of the public to disregard the document and rely only on information released through its verified communication channels.
The electoral body also advised Nigerians to verify election-related information before circulating it to avoid being misled by fraudulent reports. It provided its official website, verified social media accounts and news portal as sources for authentic updates.
The warning comes days after INEC released its final lists of governorship candidates for the February 6, 2027 elections. The published lists reportedly excluded the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidates in Ogun and Gombe states, Ladi Adebutu and Isa Pantami, respectively, prompting questions over their omission.
INEC reiterated its commitment to providing accurate electoral information and urged Nigerians to consult its official platforms for clarification on candidates and other election-related developments.
