The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, and 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.
However, the commission 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 GAZETTE on Thursday, following a meeting of the commission to consider petitions submitted by political parties over the omission of candidates from the lists released ahead of the elections.
According to the source, the commission received 69 petitions relating to governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates, with approximately 36 granted and the remaining applications unsuccessful.
The source added that INEC’s legal department was finalising the figures and preparing an official statement detailing the outcome of the review.
On Pantami, the source confirmed that the former minister had been cleared to contest the governorship election in Gombe State, although legal proceedings relating to his candidacy remain pending.
Similarly, Gwarzo’s clearance was granted subject to the final determination of the court case challenging his exclusion from the list of governorship candidates in Kano State.
The source explained that the commission had no objection to the two candidates participating in the election but stressed that the courts could ultimately determine their eligibility.
Gwarzo had approached the court to challenge INEC’s omission of his name and that of his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, from the list of candidates for the Kano State governorship election.
In an originating summons dated October 20, 2026, the NDC candidate asked the court to declare their exclusion unlawful and compel the commission to recognise them as the party’s governorship flag-bearers.
Pantami’s candidacy is also facing litigation, with the INEC source indicating that a court proceeding was expected on Friday.
In contrast, Adebutu’s petition was unsuccessful. The Ogun PDP candidate had challenged his exclusion from the final list of governorship candidates, maintaining that he remained a registered member of the party and had complied with the relevant membership registration requirements.
The omissions followed INEC’s position that some political parties failed to comply with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, requiring the submission of membership registers.
The commission had cited 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.
