The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked a fake announcement circulating online concerning alleged issues affecting the list of governorship candidates in six states ahead of the 2027 elections.

The commission disclosed this in a post on its official X account on Monday, October 12, 2026, warning Nigerians against sharing the fraudulent publication.

INEC said the purported announcement, which claimed that there were issues affecting the governorship candidates’ lists in Zamfara, Gombe, Delta, Plateau, Yobe and Kano states, did not originate from the commission.

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“The Commission wishes to categorically inform the general public that the publication is FAKE and did not originate from INEC,” the electoral body stated.

The circulating document is titled “Special Announcement” and also carries the headings “Public Information Notice” and “Important Update.”

It claims that there may be an issue affecting the lists of governorship candidates in the six states and states that a further announcement was expected on Monday.

The document reads: “Reports suggest there may be an issue affecting list of governorship candidates in the following six states,” before listing Zamfara, Gombe, Delta, Plateau, Yobe and Kano.

It further states: “A further update is expected regarding the issue and any steps that may be taken to resolve it.”

The purported announcement also advises the public to remain calm while awaiting an official statement from INEC.

“The public is advised to remain calm and await an official statement from INEC,” the document states.

The publication bears the name of Rose Oriaran-Anthony, identified as Secretary of INEC. However, the commission has disowned the document, describing it as fraudulent.

In its clarification, the electoral commission urged members of the public to disregard the publication and avoid circulating it further.

INEC also addressed claims that it had issued a special announcement concerning governorship candidates in the six states.

The commission stated: “The public is advised to rely solely on official notices, press releases, and other information issued through the Commission’s verified communication channels.”

It added that any information suggesting it had issued a special announcement concerning governorship candidates in the affected states was false.

“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,” the statement said.

The commission urged Nigerians to verify electoral information through its official communication channels before sharing such information online.

INEC said the public should remain vigilant to avoid being misled by false or fraudulent publications concerning the electoral process.

The commission also provided contact details through which members of the public can seek clarification on electoral matters.

According to the notice, Nigerians can contact the INEC Call Centre on 0700-2255-4632 or use the short code 4632.

Other telephone contacts provided are 090844444333 and 09050858629, while enquiries can also be sent to [email protected].

The commission listed its official website as inecnigeria.org and its news portal as inecnews.com.

INEC reiterated its commitment to keeping the public accurately informed and urged Nigerians to obtain election-related information only through its official communication channels.

The clarification comes amid public attention surrounding the publication of final lists of governorship candidates for the 2027 elections, including reports concerning the omission of some candidates from the lists released by the commission.

Otunba Segun Showunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to look beyond current political controversies and give President Bola Tinubu’s administration more time, arguing that the country’s ongoing reforms should be assessed on their long-term outcomes.

Showunmi made the appeal in a statement published on his X account on Sunday, October 11, 2026, as political discussions ahead of the 2027 general election continue to gather attention.

He argued that the call for continuity was not based on Tinubu’s name or personality but on what he described as a broader national project aimed at rebuilding the country.

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“We have not asked you to support continuity because his name is Asiwaju @officialABAT. He could just as well have been named Peter Atiku Tinubu, and it would make no difference to our argument,” he said.

According to Showunmi, the central issue is whether Nigeria should be allowed to continue its current reform process rather than making political decisions based on personalities or sentiments.

“Our plea is simple: give Nigeria the opportunity to continue this journey of national rebirth. The process is underway. Its effects are beginning to emerge, and the ambition is for its benefits to reach every Nigerian, everywhere,” he stated.

He acknowledged that Nigerians were still experiencing economic difficulties but cautioned against interpreting the hardship as proof that the reform process had failed.

“There is still work to be done, and the hardship many people face must never be dismissed. But we must not confuse the pain of transition with the failure of the journey,” Showunmi said.

The PDP chieftain also challenged Nigerians to scrutinise the records and policy proposals of politicians seeking to replace Tinubu, urging voters to consider what they offered beyond campaign promises.

“What exactly are they proposing? How does it differ from what is being done? What did they do when they had the opportunity? And, most importantly, can their promises withstand the scrutiny of their own records?” he asked.

He maintained that decisions about the country’s leadership should be based on policies, records and measurable outcomes rather than political loyalty or resentment.

“Nigeria cannot afford to make consequential decisions on the strength of slogans, sentiments, personalities or political resentment. We must judge ideas by their substance, leadership by its record, and policies by their outcomes,” he said.

‘This Is Bigger Than Tinubu’

Showunmi stressed that his argument was not that the country had achieved perfection under the current administration but that its reform efforts deserved an honest assessment.

“The argument is not that everything is perfect today. The argument is that the work of rebuilding Nigeria must be judged honestly, and the journey must be given the opportunity to deliver its full promise,” he stated.

He urged Nigerians to place the national interest above political differences when assessing the country’s direction ahead of the next election.

“That is why we ask you to look again, think deeply, and consider the national interest above every other sentiment,” he added.

Concluding his appeal, Showunmi reiterated that the issue extended beyond Tinubu as an individual, describing it as a question of Nigeria’s future and the responsibilities owed to generations to come.

“This is bigger than Asiwaju. It is about Nigeria, the country we must rebuild for ourselves and the generations coming after us,” he said.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has cited infrastructure projects and key political appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as reasons the North Central region should support his re-election bid in 2027.

Yilwatda made the remarks on Saturday at the North Central Grand Endorsement Rally for Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

He declared that the region would reward Tinubu with massive votes in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the president had done more for the North Central region than previous Nigerian leaders.

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“Mr President has done what no president has done for North-Central. Who will stand with him? Who will work with him? Who will vote for him?” Yilwatda asked supporters at the rally.

Yilwatda Highlights Road Projects Across North Central

Speaking partly in Hausa, the APC chairman highlighted road construction and other infrastructure projects as evidence of Tinubu’s contributions to the region.

He referenced several road projects connecting communities across parts of Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory, mentioning routes linking locations such as Akwanga, Lafia, Jos and Keffi.

According to Yilwatda, the projects demonstrate the administration’s commitment to improving road connectivity across the region.

He insisted that the scale of the developments represented a significant change for the North Central region.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done for North-Central what people should come and see,” he said, according to the English rendering of his remarks in the supplied transcript.

Yilwatda urged residents to recognise the administration’s infrastructure investments and support the president in the forthcoming elections.

Cites Akume’s Appointment, APC Leadership Position

Beyond infrastructure, Yilwatda pointed to political appointments as another reason the region should support Tinubu.

He specifically mentioned Senator George Akume’s appointment as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), describing it as an example of the region’s representation in the federal government.

The APC chairman also referenced his own emergence as the national chairman of the ruling party, arguing that the administration had provided opportunities for people from the North Central region to occupy prominent positions.

He maintained that the appointments demonstrated the region’s inclusion in the administration and the ruling party’s leadership structure.

APC Chairman Seeks Support at All Levels
Yilwatda called on APC members and supporters across the North Central region to unite behind Tinubu and work towards electoral victories for the party at all levels in 2027.

Reiterating his confidence in the region’s support for the president, he urged party members to mobilise voters ahead of the elections.

“North-Central stand with Mr President. North-Central appreciate Mr President,” he said.

He added that the region would support the APC from the presidential level down to other elective positions.

Yilwatda also thanked party leaders, stakeholders and supporters who attended the rally, expressing appreciation for their participation in the party’s mobilisation efforts.

The rally in Lafia brought together APC leaders and supporters to endorse Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.