INEC disowns a fake 2027 governorship announcement involving six states and urges Nigerians to verify election information through official channels
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned Nigerians against a fake online publication claiming to announce information about governorship candidates in six states ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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In a public notice issued on Monday, October 12, 2026, the electoral commission said the circulating document concerning Zamfara, Gombe, Delta, Plateau, Yobe and Kano states did not originate from the commission.
INEC urged political parties, candidates and members of the public to disregard the publication and avoid sharing it, warning that false electoral information could mislead voters and create confusion ahead of the polls.
“The Commission wishes to categorically inform the general public that the publication is FAKE and did not originate from INEC,” the notice stated.
The commission also dismissed claims that it had issued a special announcement concerning governorship candidates in the six affected states.
“The Commission further wishes to clarify that any information suggesting that INEC has issued a special announcement concerning governorship candidates in the aforementioned states is false,” it added.
The electoral body advised Nigerians to obtain updates about the 2027 elections through its official website, news portal and verified social media accounts.
It also called on political parties and candidates to exercise caution when responding to election-related information circulating online, particularly as preparations for the general elections continue.
The warning highlights the importance of verifying political announcements before sharing them, as unsubstantiated claims about candidates and party nominations can create uncertainty among voters and party supporters.
INEC reiterated its commitment to providing accurate electoral information and urged the public to rely on its official communication channels for clarification on election matters.
The disputed publication comes amid political preparations and discussions surrounding candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, INEC did not identify the individuals or organisations responsible for circulating the document in the notice provided, nor did it disclose whether an investigation had been initiated.
The commission’s statement was limited to disowning the publication and clarifying that it had not issued the purported special announcement concerning governorship candidates in the six states.
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Nigerians were therefore advised to treat the viral document as false and consult official INEC platforms for reliable updates on the electoral process.
