The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that it has no objection to the governorship candidacy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, explaining that a subsisting court order is responsible for the absence of his name from the updated list of candidates for the 2027 elections.
A senior official of the commission disclosed that Gwarzo had been cleared following a review of petitions concerning candidates omitted from the initial list. However, INEC cannot publish his name until the Federal High Court in Kano determines an ex parte order issued on October 27.
The official explained that the court order specifically restrained the commission from publishing the names of NDC candidates, adding that the restriction was the only reason Gwarzo’s name remained absent.
The clarification followed the discovery that Gwarzo and his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, were still missing from INEC’s revised list of governorship and deputy governorship candidates released on Saturday.
Against the NDC’s governorship and deputy governorship positions in Kano State, the commission indicated “Court Order” in the remarks section.
The development had raised questions about Gwarzo’s eligibility after INEC earlier reviewed petitions submitted by candidates whose names were excluded from the initial list published on October 10.
During its review, the commission upheld 66 petitions and rejected 64 others relating to governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates across the country.
Among those cleared was former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, whose name was subsequently included as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Gombe State.
INEC’s clarification indicates that Gwarzo’s continued absence from the published list does not represent a rejection of his candidacy, but rather compliance with the existing court directive.
The commission’s position is that the restriction will remain effective pending the final determination of the legal proceedings at the Federal High Court in Kano.
