By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, to contest the 2027 general elections, subject to the outcomes of pending court cases.
The commission, however, rejected a petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, seeking a review of his exclusion from the list of candidates.
A source within INEC disclosed the decisions to Daily Trust on Thursday, following a meeting of the commission to consider complaints from political parties and candidates whose names were omitted from the lists published ahead of the elections.
According to the source, INEC received 69 petitions relating to omitted candidates for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. About 36 of the petitions were successful, while the remaining applications were unsuccessful.
The source added that the commission was awaiting final figures from its legal department before issuing an official statement on the outcome of the review.
Regarding Pantami, who is the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State, the source confirmed that INEC had cleared his candidacy.
Gwarzo was also cleared to contest under the NDC platform in Kano State. However, the commission said his clearance would remain subject to the final decision of the court on the legal dispute surrounding his nomination.
The source explained that the commission had no objection to either candidate contesting the election, provided the pending legal matters did not result in a contrary court ruling.
Candidates challenge exclusion
Pantami and Gwarzo were among prominent governorship candidates whose names were missing from INEC’s list released in October.
INEC had earlier attributed the omissions to alleged failure by their political parties to comply with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly the requirement to submit membership registers.
The commission said its position was based on a September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgment affirming the constitutionality of Section 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act, which makes the submission of party membership registers mandatory.
Gwarzo subsequently approached the court to challenge the exclusion of himself and his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, from the list of governorship candidates in Kano State.
In an originating summons dated October 20, 2026, he asked the court to declare their exclusion unlawful and compel INEC to recognise them as the NDC’s candidates.
Pantami’s candidacy is also facing litigation, with the INEC source indicating that a court proceeding was expected on Friday.
Adebutu’s petition rejected
Meanwhile, INEC rejected Adebutu’s request for a review of his exclusion from the Ogun State governorship candidates’ list.
The PDP candidate had challenged the commission’s decision, maintaining that he remained a registered member of the party and had fulfilled the relevant membership registration requirements.
However, the INEC source confirmed that his petition was unsuccessful.
The commission is expected to issue a formal statement detailing the decisions reached after reviewing the 69 petitions.
The Daily Reality
