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 elections. This clearance is subject to the outcomes of pending court cases. INEC received 69 petitions from political parties concerning omitted candidates for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
According to INEC, about 36 petitions were successful, while the others failed. The commission is still awaiting the final figures from its legal department, which is working on the statement to be issued on the decisions. INEC had attributed the omissions to alleged non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, requiring parties to submit their membership registers.
On Pantami and Gwarzo, INEC has no objection to their candidacies but noted that the pending court cases could affect their eligibility. Pantami's clearance was confirmed, while Gwarzo's approval remains subject to the outcome of the litigation involving his candidacy. The commission has no issues with either candidate contesting the election, pending the resolution of the legal matters.
The petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, was rejected. Adebutu had sought a review of his exclusion from the list of candidates, but his petition was unsuccessful. He had questioned his exclusion, insisting that he remained a registered member of the PDP and had complied with the party's membership registration requirements.
Pantami and Gwarzo are among the prominent governorship candidates whose names were missing from INEC's list released in October. Gwarzo had approached the court to challenge the omission and that of his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, from the list of governorship candidates for 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 governorship candidates.
Pantami's candidacy has also been the subject of litigation, with a court proceeding expected. INEC's position follows 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 membership registers mandatory. The commission is expected to issue a formal statement on the outcome of the review.
The decisions followed complaints by candidates and political parties after INEC omitted their names from the lists published ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC will provide an official update on the matter.
Key points
- INEC clears Isa Ali Pantami and Abdulsalam Gwarzo to contest 2027 elections
- INEC rejects Ladi Adebutu's petition
- The clearance is subject to the outcomes of pending court cases
