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.
A source within INEC, who spoke to Daily Trust after the commission’s meeting on Thursday, disclosed that the electoral body 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 of the petitions were 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 source said.
The official added that the commission was awaiting final figures from its legal department, which was preparing a formal statement on the outcome of the review.
Confirming Pantami’s clearance to contest in Gombe State, the source said, “Yes, Pantami has been cleared.”
Gwarzo was also cleared, although his eligibility remains subject to the final determination of the court handling his case.
“Because of the court case, the court may rule otherwise. So his approval is subject to whatever the court finally decides,” the source explained.
The official added that INEC had no objection to the candidates participating in the elections, pending the resolution of the legal issues.
“But we have no issues with their contesting as candidates,” the source said.
Meanwhile, Adebutu’s petition was unsuccessful, with the INEC source confirming that the commission had declined his request for reconsideration.
“He did not succeed,” the official said.
The disputes arose following INEC’s omission of several candidates from its lists published ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission had attributed the exclusions to alleged non-compliance by some political parties with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, requiring the submission of membership registers.
INEC maintained that its position was based on a September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgment affirming the constitutionality of Section 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act.
Gwarzo had approached the court to challenge the exclusion of himself and his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, from the list of candidates.
Pantami’s candidacy is also facing a legal challenge, with a court proceeding expected on Friday, according to the INEC source.
The commission is expected to issue an official statement providing further details on the petitions received, the decisions reached and the final status of the affected candidates.
