INEC Rejects Adebutu, Gwarzo Petitions, Clears Pantami for 2027 Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected petitions seeking the inclusion of Ogun State PDP governorship hopeful, Ladi Adebutu, and Kano State Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate, Aminu Gwarzo, in its final list of candidates for the 2027 elections, leaving their political futures uncertain.

However, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has been cleared to contest the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to an INEC source, Adebutu's petition was dismissed because his name was not part of the original list of candidates submitted to the electoral body by the PDP.

“His petition was rejected because his name was not included in the list of candidates originally submitted to INEC by the PDP,” the source disclosed.

Gwarzo's exclusion, the source explained, was due to an ex parte order issued by the Federal High Court, preventing INEC from publishing his name. While he may have otherwise qualified, his candidacy remains subject to the outcome of ongoing court proceedings.

“He would have scaled through, but unfortunately, there was an ex parte order from the Federal High Court barring INEC from publishing his name,” the source said.

INEC is expected to release an updated list of candidates for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections. In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the commission revealed that it reviewed 130 petitions relating to the final lists of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates nationwide.

Of the petitions received, 66 were upheld, while 64 were rejected. The commission said successful petitions led to the inclusion of affected candidates and political parties, while those found to lack merit were dismissed.

INEC also confirmed the removal of some candidates whose names were wrongly published despite not appearing in membership registers submitted by their political parties. Other candidates were removed for failing to meet statutory nomination requirements.

For governorship elections, the commission received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states, approving 41 and rejecting 28. In the State House of Assembly category, 61 petitions were filed by 11 political parties across 11 states, with 25 approved and 36 dismissed.

The commission stated that all decisions were reached after reviewing complaints, party records, and relevant legal provisions. It added that an updated list reflecting the changes would be published on its website.

INEC reiterated its commitment to transparency, electoral integrity, and compliance with the Electoral Act, stressing that all complaints were determined strictly in accordance with the law.