INEC clears Pantami, Gwarzo for 2027 polls, rejects Adebutu’s appeal
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reportedly cleared former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, to contest the 2027 elections, subject to the outcome of pending court cases.
The decision followed INEC’s review of petitions submitted by political parties over the exclusion of candidates from the governorship and state Houses of Assembly election lists. A commission source disclosed the development to Daily Trust after a meeting on Thursday.
“Yes, Pantami has been cleared,” the source said, adding that the commission had no objection to either candidate participating in the elections, although ongoing litigation could affect their candidacies.
The source said INEC received 69 petitions from political parties, with approximately 36 successful, while the remaining applications were rejected.
“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.
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However, the commission rejected a petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, seeking reconsideration of his exclusion.
“He did not succeed,” the source said when asked about Adebutu’s petition.
On Gwarzo, the official explained that his clearance remained conditional because the courts could reach a different decision on his eligibility.
“Because of the court case, the court may rule otherwise. So his approval is subject to whatever the court finally decides,” the source said.
Pantami and Gwarzo were among candidates omitted from INEC’s October list over alleged non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 requiring political parties to submit membership registers.
INEC had cited a Supreme Court judgment delivered on 24 September 2026, which upheld the constitutionality of Section 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act.
Gwarzo subsequently approached the court, challenging his exclusion alongside his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, and seeking an order compelling INEC to recognise their candidacies.
Adebutu also challenged his exclusion, maintaining that he remained a registered PDP member and had complied with the party’s membership requirements.
The commission’s legal department is expected to finalise the figures and prepare an official statement confirming the outcome of the review.