Supporters of Professor Isa Ali Pantami celebrate as INEC reportedly clears his 2027 governorship candidacy.
Supporters of Professor Isa Ali Pantami took to the streets of Gombe State in wild jubilation following reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission has accepted his candidacy.
The political development comes after the electoral body reviewed 69 petitions submitted by political parties regarding the omission of candidate names from the initial final list published on October 10 ahead of the upcoming elections, according to information published by The Sun Nigeria.
While supporters celebrate the reversal, the political dispute remains active as legal battles continue to surround the 2027 Gombe State governorship election and the candidacy of the Peoples Democratic Party flagbearer.
Background Of The PDP Primary Election Dispute
Professor Isa Ali Pantami emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate following a fresh primary election conducted on September 29. This new exercise took place in strict compliance with a Federal High Court order that nullified the party initial primary.
Despite following the court directive, his name was conspicuously omitted from the final list of candidates published by the electoral commission on October 10. The commission initially attributed this exclusion to the party failure to comply with statutory requirements for submitting its membership register.
INEC Petition Review And Decisions
The latest breakthrough follows a comprehensive review of 69 petitions submitted by various political parties contesting the omission of their candidates. The electoral body reportedly accepted several requests, including those concerning Isa Ali Pantami and Abdulsalam Gwarzo, who is the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kano State.
Conversely, the commission rejected the petition seeking the inclusion of Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State. Meanwhile, other political figures like Shinkafi from the All Progressives Congress have also tackled the commission over similar name omissions.
Legal Hurdles And Verification Status
Despite the widespread celebrations across Gombe State, legal experts note that the clearance remains subject to ongoing litigation. The final determination of the candidacy now depends entirely on the outcome of pending court proceedings initiated by the legal team.
As political activities gather momentum across the region, independent verification of a formal statement from the electoral commission confirming the extent of the implementation was still pending at the time of filing the report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did INEC accept Professor Isa Ali Pantami candidacy for 2027?
Reports indicate that the Independent National Electoral Commission accepted the candidacy of Professor Isa Ali Pantami for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election after reviewing petitions from political parties.
Why was Pantami name initially omitted from the INEC list?
The electoral commission initially omitted the name of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate due to the party alleged failure to comply with statutory requirements for submitting its membership register.
Is Pantami final clearance guaranteed by the courts?
No, the reported clearance by the electoral commission remains subject to ongoing litigation, meaning the final determination of his candidacy still depends on court proceedings.
Who else was affected by the INEC petition review?
The commission accepted requests concerning Isa Ali Pantami and Abdulsalam Gwarzo in Kano State, while rejecting a petition for Ladi Adebutu in Ogun State.
