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 elections, subject to the outcome 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.
An INEC source disclosed the decisions to Daily Trust on Thursday after the commission considered petitions submitted by political parties over candidates omitted from the lists for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
According to the source, the commission received 69 petitions, with about 36 succeeding while the remaining applications were unsuccessful. The final figures were still being compiled by INEC’s legal department ahead of an official statement.
The source confirmed Pantami’s clearance but noted that the pending litigation could affect the final outcome of his candidacy.
Gwarzo’s clearance is similarly subject to the court’s final decision in the case challenging the exclusion of him and his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, from the list of governorship candidates in Kano State.
Gwarzo had filed an originating summons dated October 20, 2026, asking the court to declare their exclusion unlawful and compel INEC to recognise them as the NDC’s governorship candidates.
Pantami’s candidacy is also facing litigation, with the INEC source indicating that a court proceeding was expected on Friday.
Meanwhile, Adebutu’s petition was unsuccessful. The Ogun PDP candidate had challenged his exclusion from the final list, insisting that he remained a registered party member and had complied with the party’s membership registration requirements.
The omissions followed INEC’s publication of its lists of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections. The commission had attributed the exclusions to alleged failure to comply with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 concerning the submission of party membership registers.
INEC’s position followed 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 detailing the outcome of its review.
Kehinde Ayanboade
Kehinde Ayanboade is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Naija Metro News, with over eight years of experience covering Nigerian politics, crime, legislative proceedings and metropolitan affairs.
