The Independent National Electoral Commission has cleared former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, to contest the 2027 elections, subject to the outcome of pending court cases.
The development follows the commission’s review of complaints submitted by political parties and candidates whose names were omitted from its published lists of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates.
However, the commission rejected a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, who had requested a review of his exclusion.
The decisions represent an important development in the political preparations for the 2027 general elections.
According to an official familiar with the commission’s deliberations, INEC received 69 petitions from political parties over omitted candidates.
Approximately 36 of the petitions were successful, while the remaining requests were unsuccessful.
The figures were disclosed to Daily Trust by an INEC source following the commission’s meeting on Thursday.
The source also indicated that the commission’s legal department was preparing final figures and a formal statement on the decisions.
Pantami’s Candidacy Receives Clearance
Pantami, who is seeking the governorship of Gombe State, was among the prominent candidates whose names were missing from INEC’s October list.
His clearance represents a significant development for his political campaign.
The former minister has remained a notable figure in Nigeria’s political and technology sectors following his previous role in the Federal Government.
His candidacy had attracted attention because of the earlier dispute surrounding the commission’s decision to omit his name.
INEC’s reported decision to clear him means that the commission has accepted his position following its review.
However, the matter remains subject to the outcome of pending legal proceedings.
The report indicated that a court proceeding concerning Pantami’s candidacy was expected on Friday, October 30.
Consequently, the commission’s clearance should not be interpreted as the conclusion of every legal issue surrounding the nomination.
Gwarzo Also Cleared Subject to Court Decision
Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kano State, was also cleared by the commission.
His case similarly involved a challenge to the omission of his name and that of his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha.
Gwarzo had approached the court to challenge INEC’s decision, arguing that their exclusion from the candidates’ list was unlawful.
In an originating summons dated October 20, 2026, he sought an order compelling the commission to recognise them as the party’s candidates.
An INEC source explained that the commission had no objection to his participation at that stage but acknowledged that a court could ultimately determine the matter differently.
The qualification attached to his clearance is therefore important.
It means the commission’s position remains dependent on the final outcome of the litigation.
Adebutu’s Petition Rejected
While Pantami and Gwarzo received clearance, Adebutu’s request for reconsideration was unsuccessful.
The Ogun State PDP governorship candidate had challenged his exclusion from the final list of governorship candidates.
He maintained that he remained a registered member of the PDP and had complied with the party’s membership registration requirements.
However, INEC rejected his petition.
The decision means that his request for the commission to reconsider his exclusion was unsuccessful at the stage covered by the report.
The development could have implications for the PDP’s preparations in Ogun State as the party continues its political activities ahead of the election.
Electoral Act Requirements Behind the Dispute
The controversy surrounding the omitted candidates is connected to compliance requirements under the Electoral Act, 2026.
INEC had previously attributed the omissions to alleged non-compliance with provisions requiring political parties to submit their membership registers.
The commission also referred to a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, which affirmed the constitutionality of Section 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act.
The provisions make the submission of party membership registers mandatory.
Political parties are expected to comply with electoral requirements when conducting internal processes and submitting candidates for elections.
The commission’s review of the petitions reflects the importance of these requirements in determining which candidates appear on official election lists.
What Happens Next?
INEC is expected to provide a formal statement detailing the outcome of its review.
The pending court cases will also remain important in determining the final status of candidates whose nominations are being challenged.
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections, political parties and aspirants will need to ensure that their nomination processes comply with electoral laws.
The latest decisions demonstrate that candidate selection disputes are likely to remain a major feature of the preparations.
For voters, the development highlights the importance of following official electoral announcements and court decisions rather than relying exclusively on political statements.
