By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is engaging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resolve the exclusion of some of its candidates from the final lists for the 2027 elections.
Jungudo Mohammed, spokesperson for the PDP faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
The development followed INEC’s publication of its final governorship candidate lists on Saturday, which reportedly excluded some PDP candidates, including Isa Pantami of Gombe State and Ladi Adebutu of Ogun State.
Mohammed said the party was concerned about the omissions and had opened discussions with the electoral commission to address the issues in line with the law and established electoral guidelines.
“The PDP therefore assures all concerned that it is treating this development with the utmost seriousness it deserves and will communicate further developments as appropriate. The Party is committed to ensuring that all legitimate concerns are properly addressed with the Commission,” the statement reads.
He urged affected candidates, party members and supporters to remain calm and avoid statements or actions that could jeopardise the ongoing discussions with INEC.
The dispute comes amid the legal implications of a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24 concerning provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the nomination of candidates for the 2027 elections.
INEC had earlier said it would determine how the judgment would affect the nomination process.
A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court upheld an appeal filed by INEC, restoring Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Adamu Jauro, the court held that the provisions, which the Court of Appeal had voided in July, were not inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.
Section 77(5) requires political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before a primary, congress or convention. Only members whose names appear on the submitted register may participate in the exercise.
Section 77(6) prohibits parties from using a membership register other than the one submitted to INEC for their primaries, congresses and conventions.
Section 77(7) further provides that a political party that fails to submit its membership register within the stipulated period cannot field a candidate in the election.
The PDP said it would communicate further developments as its engagement with INEC continues.
