2027 Elections: INEC Set to Review Pantami, Adebutu and Other Candidates’ Exclusion
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to review the exclusion of Professor Isa Ali Pantami, Ladi Adebutu and other governorship candidates from its final list ahead of the 2027 elections.
The commission plans to consider the disputed candidates’ list at its meeting on Thursday, October 29, 2026. INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna confirmed the meeting in an interview with The PUNCH.
The review could determine whether the affected politicians will return to the list for the February 6, 2027 governorship elections.
Pantami is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, while Adebutu represents the party in Ogun State. Both candidates were missing from INEC’s final list published on October 10.
Other affected politicians include Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in Kano State, and Senator Danjuma Laah, the party’s candidate in Kaduna State.
Why INEC Excluded Pantami, Adebutu and Others
INEC attributed the omissions to the failure of the affected political parties to submit their membership registers within the period prescribed by law.
The commission based its position on a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026. The ruling upheld the constitutionality of provisions in the Electoral Act 2026 requiring parties to submit membership registers before conducting valid primaries, congresses and conventions.
INEC had set April 21 to May 10, 2026, as the period for political parties to submit their registers.
According to the commission, parties that failed to meet the requirement could not validly sponsor candidates in the affected elections.
The commission also cited Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires authorities to enforce decisions of competent courts.
However, the affected politicians and their parties have challenged INEC’s position. They insist that they complied with the relevant legal requirements and want the commission to correct what they describe as wrongful omissions.
PDP Challenges Exclusion of Pantami and Adebutu
The PDP has engaged INEC over the exclusion of its governorship candidates in Gombe and Ogun states.
Pantami’s name appeared on INEC’s provisional list published on August 29. However, the commission omitted him from the final list released on October 10.
Pantami emerged as the PDP’s Gombe governorship candidate after a court-ordered rerun of the party’s primary on September 29.
His aide has indicated that the former communications minister will pursue available legal options to challenge the omission if necessary.
In Ogun State, Adebutu’s name was also missing from the final list, despite his earlier appearance on the provisional list.
Ogun PDP chairman Abayomi Tella described the omission as an error. He maintained that the party had fulfilled the legal requirements for Adebutu’s nomination and expressed confidence that INEC would restore his name.
The PDP has also taken steps to challenge the omissions through formal representations to the commission. Its national leadership and the affected candidates’ legal teams have been engaging INEC over the dispute.
Gwarzo, Laah and Other Candidates Also Affected
The dispute extends beyond the PDP candidates.
Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the NDC governorship candidate in Kano State, has challenged the omission of his name and that of his running mate, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Gwarzo filed a suit seeking a declaration that INEC’s decision was unlawful and an order compelling the commission to recognise the pair as the party’s candidates.
Senator Danjuma Laah, the NDC’s candidate in Kaduna State, is also among those affected.
Other omitted candidates include Sebastine Hon of the Social Democratic Party in Benue State. INEC also excluded candidates from the SDP, New Nigeria People’s Party, Action Alliance and Accord in Bauchi State.
The affected parties have argued that their candidates met the requirements for nomination. They have asked INEC to review the omissions and amend the final list where appropriate.
Legal Deadline Has Expired
INEC gave political parties and other eligible persons 14 days after the publication of the final list to notify it of candidates they believed had been wrongly omitted.
The deadline expired on October 24, 2026.
The commission has received petitions from affected parties and candidates. Officials have reviewed the submissions ahead of the meeting scheduled for October 29.
INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna confirmed that the commission would consider the final list at the meeting. However, the announcement of a review does not automatically mean that the affected candidates will be reinstated.
The commission must consider the petitions alongside the applicable provisions of the Electoral Act and relevant court decisions.
If INEC maintains its earlier position, affected candidates and their parties may pursue further legal action. A decision to revise the list could instead clear the way for some of them to contest the February 2027 governorship elections.
The outcome of the meeting is therefore significant for the affected candidates, their parties and the electoral process in the states concerned.
As of publication, the reports available confirmed that INEC planned to consider the disputed list on Thursday. They did not confirm the commission’s final decision on whether the omitted candidates would be reinstated.
