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INEC candidate omissions spark uncertainty for 2027 polls
The political futures of several governorship candidates remain uncertain following the expiration of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for complaints regarding the 2027 election candidate list. The omissions specifically affect Professor Isa Pantami (Gombe), Oladipupo Adebutu (Ogun), and Aminu Gwarzo (Kano).
INEC attributed these exclusions to a September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgment in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, which affirmed requirements under the Electoral Act 2026 regarding political party membership registers. The commission maintains that the affected parties failed to comply with these registration and nomination provisions.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have formally protested the exclusions. The PDP has filed an affidavit at the Federal High Court seeking the reinstatement of its candidates, asserting full compliance with electoral laws. Meanwhile, the National Association of Achievers Movement has called on INEC to provide transparency and factual explanations for the inclusion of some candidates and the exclusion of others.
Entities
Aminu Gwarzo · Independent National Electoral Commission · Isa Pantami · Nigeria Democratic Congress · Oladipupo Adebutu · Peoples Democratic Party
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Aminu Gwarzo is the NDC candidate for Kano State. www.ghanamma.com · www.naijanews.com · punchng.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] INEC passed the October 24 deadline for candidates to contest omissions from the final list. www.ghanamma.com · www.naijanews.com · punchng.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The PDP filed an affidavit at the Federal High Court to seek reinstatement of its candidates. www.naijanews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Omissions were based on a September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgment in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party. www.ghanamma.com · www.naijanews.com · von.gov.ng
- [● 3 SOURCES] Prof Isa Pantami and Oladipupo Adebutu are PDP candidates for Gombe and Ogun states respectively. www.ghanamma.com · www.naijanews.com · punchng.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Paul Ibe accused INEC of failing to comply with the Electoral Act 2026 regarding the voters' register. nationalaccordnewspaper.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The National Association of Achievers Movement demanded transparency regarding the inclusion and exclusion of governorship candidates. von.gov.ng