2027 election: Missing names, party disputes cloud INEC list

Political parties and their respective candidates have initiated proceedings to address inconsistencies within the Independent National Electoral Commission's definitive roster of candidates designated for the 2027 general elections, consequent to the exclusion of numerous governorship and additional candidates throughout the nation.

This occurrence has precipitated demonstrations and apprehension among impacted political organizations, with the Peoples Democratic Party, Nigeria Democratic Congress, African Democratic Congress and other political entities engaging with the electoral commission regarding the absent designations.

While certain parties attribute the situation to administrative or technical malfunctions, others are confronting internal governance disagreements, nomination irregularities and outstanding judicial proceedings, with the Action Alliance signaling its intention to pursue legal remedies to guarantee the incorporation of its affected candidates.

Among the distinguished political figures excluded from the roster are former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State, and the party's Ogun State representative, Oladipupo Adebutu.

Other excluded candidates encompass Aminu Gwarzo of the NDC in Kano State, former senator Danjuma Tella La'ah in Kaduna State and the Social Democratic Party's governorship candidate in Benue State, Prof Sebastine Hon (SAN).

Pantami, Adebutu and other excluded candidates have appealed to their constituencies to exercise restraint, demonstrating confidence that the inconsistencies shall be rectified through collaborative engagement with INEC and suitable judicial mechanisms. The PDP indicated it was conducting consultations with the commission, whereas other parties maintained that they had fulfilled the pertinent nomination prerequisites and submission timeframes.

Nevertheless, not all exclusions have been ascribed to administrative malfunctions. In Kwara State, the African Action Congress governorship candidate, Duwatsu Musa, was omitted due to his failure to satisfy the constitutionally mandated minimum age requirement of 35 years for governorship aspirants.

In Jigawa, the All Progressives Congress Democratic Congress lodged a formal protest regarding the exclusion of its endorsed deputy gubernatorial candidate, Aminu Ringim, along with approximately seven additional candidates from the officially released roster.

This matter has prompted inquiries into the underlying circumstances of these exclusions, the qualifications of the affected candidates, and the available remedial measures for political parties in advance of the forthcoming elections. As the parties seek clarification and potential amendments, the unresolved matters risk precipitating additional legal proceedings concerning ballot eligibility in 2027.

The Independent National Electoral Commission's definitive roster, authenticated by the commission's Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, enumerates the candidates and their running mates authorized to participate in the 2027 general elections. Nevertheless, the exclusion of candidates nominated by certain political parties has generated apprehension regarding their electoral participation and the mechanisms available to facilitate their inclusion.

The Peoples Democratic Party announced that it had commenced consultations with INEC to address the exclusion of its gubernatorial candidates in Ogun and Gombe states, providing assurances to affected candidates and constituents that the matter was receiving appropriate attention.

In a statement released on Sunday, the party's National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, indicated that the PDP was pursuing an amicable settlement consistent with applicable legislation and recognized electoral procedures.

The party appealed to affected candidates, members, and constituents to exercise patience while negotiations with the commission proceeded.

The statement indicated, in relevant part, "The party wishes to assure all affected candidates, members and supporters that it is already engaging with INEC to address the issues responsible for the omissions, with a view to securing an amicable resolution in accordance with the law and established electoral guidelines.

“The PDP, therefore, assures all concerned that it is treating this development with the utmost seriousness it deserves and will communicate further developments as appropriate.

“The party is committed to ensuring that all legitimate concerns are properly addressed with the commission.

“Consequently, the party calls on all affected candidates, members and supporters to remain calm, exercise patience and refrain from actions or statements capable of undermining the ongoing engagements with the commission.”

INEC’s final lists for Ogun and Gombe states contained 13 and 16 governorship candidates, respectively, but neither included a PDP candidate.

The omissions affected the party’s governorship flagbearers in the two states, Oladipupo Adebutu in Ogun and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, in Gombe.

Adebutu, in a statement on Sunday, maintained that he remained a duly registered PDP member and had fulfilled the requirements for his candidacy. He said he completed his digital membership registration within the stipulated period and that his membership card had been printed and verified before the relevant documents were submitted to INEC.

He also maintained that the primary election that produced him as the party’s governorship candidate was conducted in the presence of INEC officials, who attended as observers.

Addressing his supporters, Adebutu said, “I am aware of the concerns following the omission of my name from INEC’s published list of Ogun governorship candidates for the 2027 election. I consider it important to address you directly and reassure you that there is no cause for alarm.

“I remain a duly registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party. I completed my digital registration within the stipulated period, and my membership card was printed and verified. My documentation was duly submitted to INEC within the prescribed time. I have not at any point left the PDP, and my commitment to our great party remains unwavering.

“The governorship primary that produced me as the party’s candidate was conducted with INEC officials in attendance as observers. The relevant documents were presented for verification, certification and confirmation. These are important facts that must not be overlooked in the present circumstances.”

Adebutu alleged that the Ogun State PDP had faced undue pressure from the ruling All Progressives Congress, questioning why his name was missing from the governorship list while the party’s candidates for the state House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate were included.

He said the party would pursue the matter through the appropriate channels, adding, “No amount of intimidation should prevent the people of Ogun State from having a fair opportunity to choose leaders of choice.”

The PDP candidate urged his supporters to remain steadfast, insisting that he would not abandon his ambition to lead the state.

However, Kayode Odunaro, Special Adviser on Media to the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, dismissed Adebutu’s allegation that the ruling party had pressured INEC to exclude him.

Odunaro argued that the PDP should accept responsibility if it had failed to comply with the commission’s administrative procedures and electoral requirements.

“How can anyone now attribute the failure of PDP to follow through on simple administrative procedures and adherence to rules of the game to pressure from APC on INEC leading to the non-listing of their candidate as a contestant?

“Besides, other candidates from other states suffered the same fate as factional PDP in Ogun State for similar non-adherence to the law. The nationally comatose PDP should stop the blame game on APC and its flagbearer, Senator Solomon Adeola, for all their gambling tendencies in simple matters of following laid-down rules,” he said.

Odunaro added that the APC and its candidate were prepared to contest against any candidate recognised by INEC, arguing that it would be futile to focus on a candidate whose name did not appear on the commission’s list.

Pantami urges calm

In Gombe State, Pantami’s camp also appealed to supporters to remain calm, describing the omission as a temporary setback that could still be resolved within the period allowed by law.

The former minister emerged as the PDP governorship candidate following a fresh primary election held on September 29, 2026, after a Federal High Court order necessitated another exercise to determine the party’s flagbearer.

The spokesperson for the Pantamiyya Movement, Prof Suleiman Mohammed, acknowledged concerns among PDP members and Pantami’s supporters but maintained that the omission did not represent a final determination of the candidate’s political future.

He urged supporters to remain focused on mobilisation ahead of the election and not allow the development to disrupt their activities.

“We urge our supporters to continue their mobilisation and to remain focused on our collective ideology of service to humanity,” he said.

In a statement released by Pantami via Facebook, Mohamme