The Independent National Electoral Commission has published the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, closing a long period of speculation.

A number of prominent political figures did not appear on the list. They include former President Goodluck Jonathan, who the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction said was their presidential flagbearer.

Also absent are Senator Ned Nwoko of Delta North, ex-Ogun governor Gbenga Daniel for Ogun East, ex-Gombe governor Danjuma Goje for Gombe Central, and Senator Garba Maidoki of Kebbi South.

This comes about two months after Senate President Godswill Akpabio told APC lawmakers who lost in the primaries that the party would look into their complaints.

Sunday PUNCH findings show that although the APC National Working Committee reinstated six sitting senators after the Primary Appeals Committee’s review, several other big names did not make it to the list submitted to INEC.

In Delta, Nwoko’s name was not on the display at the INEC office in Asaba. Former governor Ifeanyi Okowa picked the APC ticket for Delta North instead, confirming Nwoko’s primary loss.

In Gombe, Goje was beaten to the APC ticket by retired DCP Mohammed Ahmed.

For the opposition, former Gombe governor Ibrahim Dankwambo clinched the PDP ticket for Gombe North, while Senator Anthony Siyako got the PDP ticket for Gombe South.

Bauchi also had two incumbents missing. Senator Shehu Buba of Bauchi South and Rep Mansur Soro of Darazo/Ganjuwa did not feature. Buba, previously APC, has moved to the PRP and will run for governor. Soro said earlier he would not seek Bauchi Central or return to the House.

Last month, the APC NWC reversed several primary results and returned six senators following appeal recommendations. The exercise cut across Kogi, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Abia, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi.

The six reinstated senators are Sunday Karimi, Emmanuel Udende, Titus Zam, Shuaibu Lau, Adeniyi Adegbonmire and Olajide Ipinsagba.

In Abia South, Prince Paul Ikonne replaced Edinburgh Erondu as APC candidate.

Perhaps the most notable reversal was in Benue, where former governor Gabriel Suswam lost out to sitting Senator Emmanuel Udende.

Source: Sunday PUNCH.