The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the candidacy of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, for 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 candidacy of Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, whose clearance remains subject to the outcome of ongoing court proceedings.
The decisions followed INEC’s review of complaints submitted by political parties and candidates whose names were omitted from the final lists published ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Regarding Adebutu, the commission reportedly rejected his appeal because his name was not included in the original list of candidates submitted by the PDP to INEC.
Gwarzo’s situation was linked to an interim order issued by the Federal High Court, which restrained the electoral commission from publishing his name. His candidacy remains dependent on the final determination of the legal dispute.
INEC had earlier received 130 petitions concerning governorship and State House of Assembly candidates across the country.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the commission disclosed that 66 petitions were successful, while 64 were rejected after reviewing the complaints, relevant records and applicable legal provisions.
For governorship elections, INEC received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states. Of these, 41 were upheld, while 28 were unsuccessful.
The commission also received 61 petitions concerning State House of Assembly elections from 11 political parties across 11 states. Twenty-five petitions were approved, while 36 were rejected.
INEC explained that successful petitions resulted in the inclusion of affected candidates and political parties in the updated electoral records.
The commission also confirmed that some candidates whose names had been wrongly published were removed after verification showed that they were not included in the membership registers submitted by their political parties. Others were removed for failing to satisfy the applicable nomination requirements.
The electoral body attributed some of the earlier omissions to compliance issues involving provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly the requirement for political parties to submit their membership registers.
The requirement followed a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, which affirmed the constitutionality of the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
INEC said an updated list containing the names of affected candidates, political parties and states would be published on its website.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to electoral transparency and credibility, maintaining that all petitions were considered based on relevant records and existing legal provisions.
