2027: INEC rejects Adebutu, Gwarzo, confirms Pantami - Punch Newspapers

The fate of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, and that of the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate in Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, remains uncertain as their petitions were among the 64 rejected by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday. However, the candidacy of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and Gombe State PDP governorship candidate, Isa Ali Pantami, was cleared by the electoral commission for the 2027 election. A source in INEC, who spoke to The PUNCH on Thursday night on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, said Adebutu’s and Gwarzo’s candidacies remained uncertain following the review of complaints over the final lists of candidates for the 2027 governorship and State House of Assembly elections. He confirmed that Pantami had been cleared to contest in Gombe State. Speaking on Adebutu, the source said his name was not included in the list because it was not on the list of candidates submitted to INEC by his party. “His petition was rejected because his name was not included in the list of candidates originally submitted to INEC by the PDP,” the source said. On Gwarzo, he said the deputy governor would have made the list but for an ex parte order issued by the Federal High Court, which barred INEC from publishing his name. He added that Gwarzo’s clearance remained subject to the outcome of the litigation over his candidacy.Make PUNCH part of your everyday experience.Add us to your Preferred Sources “He would have scaled through, but unfortunately, there was an ex parte order from the Federal High Court barring INEC from publishing his name. That was the reason he was not cleared,” the source added. The source said INEC would publish the updated list of candidates for the elections by Friday (today). INEC had, on October 10, 2026, published the names of presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state Houses of Assembly candidates on its website. Following the development, the names of Adebutu, Pantami, Gwarzo, among others were missing. A statement issued on Thursday night and signed by the Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the electoral commission upheld 66 petitions challenging the final lists of governorship and state Houses of Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections and rejected 64 others. Pantami’s reinstatement on INEC list excites supporters Insecurity: Army deploys new battalion, artillery regiment to Kano Oyo APC mobilises support for Tinubu, Alli, distributes equipment The petitions followed the publication of the final lists of candidates on October 10, 2026, with complaints bordering on the omission of political parties, the inclusion of candidates whose names were absent from their parties’ membership registers and alleged multiple nominations. He said the commission reviewed the complaints, relevant records and applicable legal provisions before reaching its decisions. Haruna said, “Following a review of the complaints, relevant records and applicable legal provisions, the commission found merit in some representations and approved the inclusion of affected candidates and their political parties, while complaints found to be without merit were declined.” He added that the commission had removed some candidates whose names were wrongfully published after verifying that they were not listed in the membership registers submitted by their political parties. “The commission also approved the removal of candidates whose nominations were found to be inconsistent with the applicable legal requirements,” the statement said. According to INEC, 69 petitions were received from 12 political parties across 26 states concerning the governorship election. Of these, 41 were successful, while 28 were rejected. For the state Houses of Assembly elections, the commission received 61 petitions from 11 political parties across 11 states. Twenty-five petitions were upheld, while 36 were unsuccessful. The commission explained that its decisions on state Houses of Assembly candidates were based on specific complaints received and determined in accordance with the law and its established criteria. INEC said the affected candidates, political parties and states would be reflected in an updated list to be published on its website. The commission reiterated its commitment to transparency and electoral credibility, while assuring Nigerians that complaints were considered based on relevant records and applicable legal provisions. The latest development follows an earlier statement issued by the commission on October 13, 2026, concerning complaints arising from the publication of the final lists of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates. INEC had attributed the omissions to alleged non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, requiring parties to submit their membership registers. The commission said its 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. Deborah Musa Deborah Musa is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with five years of experience in journalism, including three years covering the judiciary. She focuses on producing accurate, well-researched reports that provide clarity on legal and justice-related issues. Deborah’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and editorial diligence.

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