Oct 12, 2026

INEC Debunks Fake Notice on Governorship Candidates in Six States as Fraudulent

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

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Abuja, Nigeria – October 12, 2026 — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has strongly debunked a fraudulent online publication circulating as an official “special announcement” on the list of governorship candidates in six states.

In a public notice issued Monday and shared on its verified X account and other platforms, the Commission stated that the document “is FAKE and did not originate from INEC.

”The false notice purported to address issues affecting governorship candidates in Zamfara, Gombe, Delta, Plateau, Yobe, and Kano, and claimed a further update would follow.

What the Fake Publication Claimed

The circulating document, marked with a large red “FAKE” stamp in INEC’s response, mimicked official branding and suggested unresolved problems with candidate lists in the six states. It urged the public to remain calm while awaiting an official statement.

INEC clarified that no such special announcement exists and that any information suggesting the Commission issued one is false.

The electoral body urged Nigerians to disregard the publication entirely, stop sharing it, and rely only on verified channels for electoral information.

Official platforms listed include the INEC website (inecnigeria.org), Facebook page “INEC Nigeria,” X and Instagram handles @inecnigeria, and the INEC News Portal.

Context of Recent Candidate List Releases

The notice comes shortly after INEC published the final lists of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates for the February 2027 elections.

Those lists triggered separate controversies, with several high-profile names — including some PDP and NDC candidates in states such as Gombe, Ogun, and Kano — reported as missing from the official publications. Political parties and movements have since engaged the Commission over the omissions.

INEC’s swift response appears aimed at preventing the fake notice from amplifying existing confusion or sparking unnecessary speculation during a sensitive phase of election preparations.

Public Advised to Stay Vigilant

The Commission reiterated its commitment to accurate public communication and called on citizens to verify all electoral information through official channels only. Contact details provided for enquiries include:

- Call Centre: 0700-CALL-INEC (0700-2255-4632)

- Short Code: 4632

- Phones: 090844444333 | 09050858629

- Email: iccc@inec.gov.ng

As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the episode underscores the persistent challenge of misinformation in the digital space.

Electoral stakeholders continue to stress the importance of relying solely on authenticated sources to protect the integrity of the process.

INEC has not indicated any further action beyond the public notice, but the Commission’s message is clear: the circulating special announcement is fraudulent and should be ignored.