ABUJA, Nigeria — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed as fraudulent a widely circulated online publication claiming to contain an official announcement about governorship candidates in six Nigerian states ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The electoral body issued the warning on Monday, October 12, identifying Zamfara, Gombe, Delta, Plateau, Yobe and Kano as the states mentioned in the misleading publication.

In a public notice shared through its verified social media platforms, INEC clarified that the purported announcement did not originate from the commission and should not be regarded as an authentic electoral document.

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

The commission urged Nigerians to disregard the document and avoid circulating unverified information capable of creating confusion over the electoral process.

INEC further clarified that it had issued no special announcement concerning the governorship candidate lists in the six states.

The warning comes amid heightened political activity following the publication of the commission's final lists of candidates for the February 6, 2027 governorship elections.

The release of the official lists has attracted attention following the omission of some prominent political figures.

Among those absent were the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) governorship candidates in Ogun and Gombe states, Ladi Adebutu and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, respectively.

The commission's published candidate lists did not explain the reasons for their exclusion, although reports have linked the development to questions surrounding compliance with electoral requirements.

INEC's latest clarification specifically addresses the fraudulent publication circulating online and does not constitute a reversal or amendment of the official candidate lists.

The electoral body stressed that voters, political parties and other stakeholders should rely exclusively on verified announcements to obtain accurate information about the forthcoming elections.

For verification, INEC directed Nigerians to its official website, www.inecnigeria.org, its news portal, www.inecnews.com, and its verified social media accounts, including @inecnigeria on X and Instagram.

The commission also provided its public enquiry line, 0700-2255-4632, and short code 4632 for individuals seeking clarification on electoral matters.

With preparations for the 2027 elections gathering momentum, the incident highlights growing concerns about the circulation of misleading political information through digital platforms.

Such publications can create uncertainty among voters and political stakeholders, particularly when they concern candidate eligibility and official electoral decisions.

INEC reiterated its commitment to providing accurate and timely information while encouraging Nigerians to exercise caution before sharing election-related announcements.

The commission maintained that its official communication channels remain the authoritative sources for information concerning electoral activities and candidate lists.

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