After over two weeks of uncertainty, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made a final decision regarding candidates nominated by political parties for governorship and House of Assembly positions who were initially not cleared.
Following extensive meetings chaired by Prof Joash Amupitan, INEC has approved former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate for Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, to compete in the 2027 elections. However, the commission denied a petition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, who sought to contest after being excluded from the candidate list.
INEC clarified that the eligibility of the cleared candidates remains contingent on outstanding court cases.
The commission had previously released a list of candidates on 10 October, omitting those whose candidacies were unclear due to prior affiliations with other parties or incomplete voter registration submissions. Following a 14-day period for petitions, INEC promised a resolution by 29 October.
A reliable source indicated that INEC received 69 petitions regarding omitted candidates, with around 36 successful petitions. While there were no objections to Pantami and Gwarzo’s candidacies, ongoing legal challenges could affect their eligibility.
The situation created a stir among political participants as Gwarzo and Pantami’s names were initially absent from the commission’s lists due to what INEC described as non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires political parties to submit membership registers.
Gwarzo has challenged his exclusion in court, while Pantami faces legal scrutiny regarding his candidacy.
Meanwhile, Adebutu’s exclusion has drawn criticism from within the PDP, as he maintained he complied with all registration requirements. Notably, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo accused opposition parties of seeking to eliminate competition rather than engage in fair electoral processes.
As the political landscape shifts ahead of the 2027 elections, Gwarzo’s reinstatement positions the NDC as a significant contender in Kano, while Pantami’s clearance raises stakes in the PDP-APC rivalry.
Political analysts suggest that the recent decisions will enhance public confidence in the electoral process, paving the way for competitive democracy in Kano State.
