2027 Elections: What Disqualifies Someone from Running for Office in Nigeria
- Nigerians who have attained adulthood will elect their leaders into various public offices in the 2027 elections
- However, not everyone who intends to run for an elective position/office will be allowed to contest in the 2027 general election
- In this article, Legit.ng highlights what disqualifies people from running for elective office and positions in the country
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
FCT, Abuja - Not every Nigerian is eligible to contest for an elective position in the country.
As the 2027 general election approaches, many people have started declaring their intention to contest for a state or national elective position.
Source: Twitter
However, not all of them will make it to the ballot in the 2027 election due to disqualification.
What disqualifies someone from running for office
As reported by Stears, the following is are list of things that disqualify someone from running for office in Nigeria.
- Acquiring alternate citizenship raises concerns that could bring into question allegiance to the other country.
- Been adjudged to be a lunatic: Any Nigerian who has a severe mental illness and is deemed unstable is deemed unqualified to occupy public office.
- Conviction: Candidates who have been convicted by a competent court of law or tribunal in Nigeria for an offence involving dishonesty or fraud are disqualified from running for offices in the country.
- Bankruptcy: Individuals who have been declared bankrupt are not allowed to run or contest for an elective position
- Employers of the public service: The constitution requires the candidate to have resigned, withdrawn, or retired from any public service of the federation, or the state, before 30 days before their election.
- Members of a secret society: Groups that feature exclusive rituals, unique signs of recognition, or secret languages
- Indicted for embezzlement or fraud: Those found guilty of embezzlement or fraud are automatically disqualified.
- Forgery: If the candidate has presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
PDP disqualifies 6 Aspirants, names released
Recall that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)'s screening committee Thursday, April 28, disqualified six senatorial aspirants in Kogi state.
Some of the aspirants were dropped following records of strong allegations bordering on misconduct and anti-party activities.
But the aspirants will be appealing the decision of the committee and could possibly go to court over the issue.
Read more stories on disqualification:
- Identities of 2 Disqualified PDP Presidential Aspirants Finally Revealed as Appeal Panel Takes Decision
- 2023 Election: Lagos PDP Clears Air on Mass Disqualification of Candidates
- Why Tinubu Might Be Disqualified From Participating in the 2023 Presidential Election
- Ebonyi Bye-Election: Court Disqualifies Atiku’s Anointed PDP’s Silas Onu
- Elisha Abbo: APC Senator Reacts to Court Verdict Disqualifying Him from 2023 Polls
- Bad News As PDP's Screening Committee Disqualifies 2 Presidential Aspirants
- APC Screening Panel Asked to Disqualify Tinubu over Alleged Questionable Educational Qualifications
- Court Disqualifies APC Governorship Candidate in Rivers State
Court sacks Ondo Labour Party governorship candidate
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the court of appeal, Abuja, on Wednesday, November 13, sacked the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Ondo state, Olusola Ebiseni.
The appellate court delivered the verdict in an appeal filed by some members of the LP on the nomination of Ebiseni as the party’s candidate in the November 16 election.
Ebiseni, the secretary-general of the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, Afenifere, has been entangled in a candidacy battle with Ayodele Olorunfemi, a unionist.
Source: Legit.ng
