The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated its list of governorship candidates for the 2027 general elections, following a review of 130 petitions from political parties and candidates. The commission received complaints regarding the omission of political parties, inclusion of candidates whose names were not found in their parties' membership registers, and allegations of multiple nominations.
INEC Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, stated that 66 of the 130 petitions were successful, leading to the inclusion of some candidates and political parties previously omitted from the lists. The commission rejected complaints it considered without merit and removed names that were wrongly published.
One notable development is the inclusion of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, in the updated list. Pantami is contesting the Gombe State governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His appearance on the updated list comes amid earlier reports that INEC had cleared him to participate in the 2027 governorship election following complaints surrounding the initial publication of candidates.
In Kano State, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, remains excluded from the updated list in line with a subsisting court order. The commission received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states concerning governorship elections, of which 41 were successful, while 28 were rejected.
For the State Houses of Assembly elections, INEC received 61 petitions from 11 political parties across 11 states, with 25 petitions succeeding, while 36 were rejected. The commission had promised that the affected candidates, political parties, and states would be reflected in an updated version of the final lists published on its website.
The Ogun State chapter of the PDP has rejected reports concerning the exclusion of its governorship candidate, Oladipupo Ladi Adebutu, from the candidates' list. The party's Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adebayo, maintained that Adebutu remained the authentic PDP governorship candidate in the state, and no official INEC publication or statement had confirmed his exclusion.
INEC reiterated its commitment to transparency and the credibility of the electoral process, assuring political parties and Nigerians that complaints were considered based on relevant records and applicable legal provisions. The commission will ensure that the updated lists are accurate and reflective of the complaints received and resolved.
Key points
- Isa Ali Pantami included in INEC's updated list of governorship candidates.
- Abdulsalam Gwarzo remains excluded from the list due to a court order.
- INEC received and resolved 130 petitions from political parties and candidates.
