2027 Elections: INEC Clears Pantami, Rejects Adebutu’s Petition as Gwarzo’s Fate Hangs in Balance

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, to contest the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State, while rejecting a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu.

The commission also reviewed the case involving Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, whose eligibility remains subject to the outcome of ongoing court proceedings.

The decisions followed INEC’s meeting on Thursday, October 29, during which the commission considered complaints submitted by political parties and candidates whose names were omitted from the final lists of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates for the 2027 elections.

According to reports, an INEC source confirmed that Pantami had been cleared to contest in Gombe State, although pending legal proceedings could still have implications for his candidacy.

Pantami’s name was initially missing from the final list published by the commission on October 10, despite appearing on the provisional list released in August.

His candidacy had faced legal challenges following a dispute over the PDP governorship primary in Gombe State. A Federal High Court had earlier nullified the initial primary and ordered a fresh exercise, which Pantami subsequently won.

In Kano State, Gwarzo’s candidacy has also been affected by legal proceedings. Although INEC reportedly expressed no objection to his participation, his clearance remains subject to the final determination of the court case challenging his exclusion.

Meanwhile, Adebutu’s attempt to secure his inclusion on the list was unsuccessful.

An INEC source disclosed that his petition was rejected because his name was not included in the list of candidates originally submitted to the commission by the PDP.

The commission’s review was part of a broader exercise involving complaints from political parties and candidates following the publication of the final lists.

In a subsequent clarification, INEC disclosed that it received 69 petitions concerning governorship candidates across 26 states, out of which 41 were upheld and 28 rejected.

For the State Houses of Assembly elections, the commission received 61 petitions from 11 political parties across 11 states. Twenty-five petitions were successful, while 36 were rejected.

INEC explained that the complaints bordered on the omission of political parties and candidates, the inclusion of individuals whose names were absent from their parties’ membership registers, and alleged multiple nominations.

The commission said it reviewed the complaints alongside relevant records and applicable legal provisions before reaching its decisions.

The controversy surrounding the omitted candidates is linked to the enforcement of Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires political parties to submit their membership registers within the stipulated period before conducting valid primaries.

INEC had maintained that its decision was guided by a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, which affirmed the constitutionality of the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

The electoral commission said the affected candidates and political parties would be reflected in an updated list to be published on its website.

The development represents a significant step in preparations for the 2027 elections, as political parties and aspirants continue to navigate legal and administrative challenges ahead of the polls.