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 final list of candidates.
An INEC source disclosed the decisions to Daily Trust following the commission’s meeting on Thursday, saying it received 69 petitions from political parties over the omission of candidates from the lists for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
According to the source, about 36 petitions were approved, while the remaining requests were unsuccessful.
“We received a total of 69 petitions from political parties. Some of them were successful, I think about 36, and the rest didn’t succeed,” the official said.
The source added that INEC’s legal department was still compiling the final figures and preparing an official statement on the outcome of the review.
On Pantami, who is seeking to contest in Gombe State, the source confirmed that the commission had cleared his candidacy.
“Yes, Pantami has been cleared,” the official said.
Gwarzo’s clearance, however, remains subject to the final determination of the court over the dispute surrounding his candidacy.
The source explained that although INEC had no objection to his participation, a contrary court ruling could affect his eligibility.
“Because of the court case, the court may rule otherwise. So his approval is subject to whatever the court finally decides,” the official said.
The clearance followed complaints by candidates and political parties after INEC omitted several names from the lists published ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Pantami and Gwarzo were among prominent candidates whose names were missing from the commission’s list released in October.
INEC had attributed the omissions to alleged breaches of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly the requirement for political parties to submit their membership registers.
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The commission relied on the September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgment, which affirmed the constitutionality of Section 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act. The provisions make the submission of party membership registers mandatory.
Following his exclusion, Gwarzo approached the court to challenge the omission of his name and that of his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, from the Kano State governorship candidates’ list.
In an originating summons dated October 20, 2026, he asked the court to declare their exclusion unlawful and compel INEC to recognise them as the NDC’s governorship candidates.
Pantami’s candidacy has also faced legal challenges, with the INEC source indicating that a court proceeding was expected on Friday.
Meanwhile, Adebutu failed to secure a favourable review of his exclusion from the Ogun State governorship candidates’ list.
The PDP candidate had maintained that he remained a registered member of the party and had complied with its membership registration requirements.
However, the INEC source confirmed that his petition was unsuccessful.
“He did not succeed,” the official said.
INEC is expected to issue a formal statement providing details of its decisions on the 69 petitions and the final outcome of the review process.
