SHOCKER: These Powerful Politicians Vanished From INEC’s Final 2027 Candidate List

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released its final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, but the absence of several political heavyweights has triggered widespread reactions.

Among the biggest names missing is former President Goodluck Jonathan, despite claims by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it submitted his name as the party’s presidential candidate.

Also excluded from the final list are Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), former Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), and Senator Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South).

For Ned Nwoko, the omission confirms his earlier defeat in the APC senatorial primary, with former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa officially emerging as the APC candidate for Delta North.

The development comes despite earlier assurances by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that the APC leadership would address grievances from lawmakers who lost their tickets during the party’s primaries.

Although the APC later reinstated six serving senators after reviewing petitions from its Primary Election Appeal Committee, several influential politicians failed to make the final list submitted to INEC.

In Gombe State, former Governor Danjuma Goje lost the APC ticket for Gombe Central to retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Ahmed. Meanwhile, the PDP nominated former Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo for Gombe North and Senator Anthony Siyako for Gombe South.

Bauchi State also recorded notable omissions, with Senator Shehu Buba and House of Representatives member Mansur Soro absent from the final list. Buba has since secured the governorship ticket of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), while Soro earlier announced he would not seek another elective office.

The APC’s review process also reshaped contests in nine states, restoring six serving senators and replacing some previously declared winners. One of the biggest reversals saw incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende reclaim the Benue North-East ticket ahead of former Governor Gabriel Suswam.

With INEC’s final publication, the race for the 2027 elections is now officially set—while several political giants have been left watching from the sidelines.