INEC Warns Nigerians Against Fake Governorship Candidates List for Six States

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned Nigerians against circulating a fake online publication purporting to be an official announcement of governorship candidates in six states.

The commission identified the affected states as Zamfara, Gombe, Delta, Plateau, Yobe and Kano, describing the circulating document as fraudulent and unrelated to its official communications.

In a public notice issued on Monday, October 12, 2026, INEC urged members of the public to disregard the publication and refrain from sharing it further.

The warning comes amid preparations for the 2027 general elections, when political developments, party nominations and candidate information are expected to attract significant public attention.

INEC Denies Issuing Governorship Candidates Announcement

According to the commission, the circulating document did not originate from INEC, contrary to the impression it may create among members of the public.

The electoral body also rejected claims that it had issued a special announcement concerning governorship candidates in the six named states.

INEC urged Nigerians to exercise caution when encountering election-related documents online, particularly those shared through social media platforms and messaging applications without verifiable sources.

The commission advised citizens to rely on its official website, authorised press releases and verified social media accounts for accurate information about electoral activities.

Six States Mentioned in the Fake Publication

The states identified by INEC in its warning are Zamfara, Gombe, Delta, Plateau, Yobe and Kano.

The commission’s clarification is important because purported candidate lists can generate confusion among voters, political party members and supporters when they are mistaken for genuine electoral announcements.

Information about candidates, party nominations and electoral procedures should be confirmed through official sources rather than accepted solely because a document carries an electoral logo or appears professionally designed.

INEC’s warning reinforces the need for Nigerians to distinguish between authentic electoral notices and fabricated materials circulated in the name of public institutions.

Warning Comes Ahead of the 2027 General Elections

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, accurate information about electoral procedures and political developments remains essential.

Election periods often generate intense public interest in party nominations, candidate eligibility, campaign activities and disputes over political positions. Such developments can also create opportunities for misleading information to circulate widely.

Fake announcements about governorship candidates may cause supporters to believe that particular individuals have received official recognition when no such confirmation has been issued.

They can also fuel unnecessary political arguments, mislead members of the public and undermine confidence in the institutions responsible for conducting elections.

For these reasons, timely clarification from electoral authorities is important whenever false information is circulated as an official announcement.

How Nigerians Can Identify Fake INEC Announcements

INEC’s warning highlights the importance of checking the origin of election-related information before sharing it.

Nigerians who encounter purported announcements should take the following precautions:

1. Check INEC’s official website: Visit the commission’s website at https://www.inecnigeria.org/ to look for relevant notices and announcements.
2. Consult verified social media accounts: Confirm whether the information has been published through the commission’s recognised communication channels.
3. Look for an original source: Do not assume that a screenshot or forwarded message is authentic simply because it carries an official-looking heading or logo.
4. Seek confirmation before publishing: Journalists, bloggers and other content creators should independently verify electoral claims before presenting them as facts.
5. Avoid forwarding unverified documents: When the authenticity of a publication cannot be established, do not circulate it as a genuine INEC announcement.

These precautions can help reduce the spread of misinformation and protect the public from confusion arising from fabricated electoral notices.

The Responsibility of Social Media Users and News Organisations

The spread of false election information is not solely the responsibility of those who originally create it. Individuals and organisations that share unverified claims can unintentionally extend their reach.

A document may be circulated by someone who genuinely believes it is authentic. However, good intentions do not establish the accuracy of its contents.

News organisations have a particular responsibility to confirm claims attributed to INEC before publishing them. Accuracy, source verification and responsible reporting are especially important when information concerns elections and political candidates.

Social media users can also contribute to a more informed public by checking claims before forwarding them to friends, family members, community groups or political platforms.

Where false information has already been shared, publishing a clear correction can help limit further confusion.

Why Official Electoral Information Matters

Credible electoral information enables voters to understand political developments and make informed decisions. It also helps political parties, candidates, observers and journalists follow the electoral process more accurately.

When fabricated documents are presented as official announcements, they can distort public understanding and make it harder for citizens to distinguish verified information from speculation.

INEC’s advice to Nigerians is therefore significant: election-related information should be checked against reliable, official sources before it is accepted or shared.

As preparations for the 2027 general elections continue, vigilance by voters, political stakeholders and the media will remain essential in limiting the circulation of misleading claims.

INEC has urged Nigerians to disregard a fake online publication purporting to announce governorship candidates in Zamfara, Gombe, Delta, Plateau, Yobe and Kano states.

The commission said the document did not originate from the electoral body and advised the public to obtain election updates through its official communication channels.

Nigerians are encouraged to verify the authenticity of electoral announcements before sharing them, helping to prevent misinformation from spreading during preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Akahi News advises readers to confirm election-related claims through recognised official sources and avoid presenting unverified documents as genuine announcements.