Daud Olatunji
The Independent National Electoral Commission has cleared former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, to contest the 2027 elections, subject to the outcome of pending court cases.
However, the commission rejected a petition by the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, seeking a review of his exclusion from the final list of candidates.
The decisions followed a review of complaints submitted by political parties and candidates whose names were omitted from the lists published ahead of the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
According to Daily Trust, an INEC source disclosed that the commission received 69 petitions from affected political parties, with approximately 36 succeeding.
“We received a total of 69 petitions from political parties. Some of them were successful, I think about 36, and the rest didn’t succeed,” the source was quoted as saying.
The official, however, said the commission was awaiting final figures from its legal department, which was preparing a formal statement on the outcome of the review.
Pantami, the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State, was among those whose names were omitted from the final list following INEC’s interpretation of the legal requirements governing political party membership registers.
Confirming his clearance, the INEC source said the commission had no objection to his candidacy, although the pending litigation could affect the final outcome.
“Yes, Pantami has been cleared,” the official said.
Similarly, Gwarzo’s clearance was made subject to the final determination of the court case challenging his exclusion from the list of governorship candidates in Kano State.
“Because of the court case, the court may rule otherwise. So his approval is subject to whatever the court finally decides,” the source said.
The official added that INEC had no objection to the two candidates contesting the election, pending the resolution of the legal issues surrounding their candidacies.
However, Adebutu’s bid to have his exclusion reviewed was unsuccessful.
“He did not succeed,” the source said when asked about the Ogun PDP governorship candidate.
Adebutu had maintained that he remained a registered member of the PDP and had complied with the party’s membership registration requirements, disputing the basis for his exclusion from the final list.
The commission’s decision leaves the Ogun PDP candidate facing a continuing challenge over his participation in the 2027 governorship election.
Why INEC Excluded The Candidates
The controversy surrounding the omitted candidates centres on compliance with the Electoral Act, 2026, particularly provisions requiring political parties to submit their membership registers within the timetable prescribed by INEC before conducting valid primaries.
As previously reported by SaharaReporters, the commission said its decision followed a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, which upheld the constitutionality of Sections 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act.
The judgment, in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026, affirmed the mandatory requirement for political parties to submit their membership registers within the stipulated period.
INEC maintained that parties that failed to satisfy the requirement were ineligible to sponsor candidates in the elections.
Applying the judgment while compiling its final governorship candidates’ lists, the commission excluded the PDP candidates in Gombe and Ogun states.
The decision affected Pantami in Gombe and Adebutu in Ogun, triggering protests and legal challenges over the interpretation and application of the electoral provisions.
Gwarzo also challenged his exclusion from the Kano governorship candidates’ list alongside his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha.
In an originating summons dated October 20, 2026, Gwarzo asked the court to declare their exclusion unlawful and compel INEC to recognise them as the NDC’s governorship candidates.
Pantami’s candidacy has similarly been the subject of litigation, with the INEC source indicating that a court proceeding was expected on Friday.
The latest review has therefore produced different outcomes for candidates affected by the commission’s interpretation of the electoral law, with Pantami and Gwarzo receiving conditional clearance while Adebutu’s petition was rejected.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
'