INEC excludes PDP candidates Ladi Adebutu and Isa Ali Pantami from the final 2027 governorship election list.
The Independent National Electoral Commission published its final candidate list for the upcoming February 6, 2027 governorship elections, sparking immediate political controversy.
The official documents released on the INEC website show notable omissions, leaving the Peoples Democratic Party without candidates in two key regional contests across the country.
These developments create major hurdles for the affected politicians, according to information published by punchng, raising fresh concerns over compliance and legal adherence.
Omission of Ladi Adebutu in Ogun State
The published lists for Ogun state show 13 candidates cleared for the race, but the Peoples Democratic Party is entirely missing from the official document.
This exclusion leaves out Ladi Adebutu, whose political future remains uncertain amid ongoing questions regarding his status on the official party membership register submitted to election authorities.
Various groups previously raised eligibility concerns by alleging that his name was absent from foundational party records, though regional party leaders strongly rejected these claims.
Gombe State PDP Candidate Legal Disputes
In Gombe state, the final electoral commission document displays 16 cleared candidates, yet the Peoples Democratic Party also lacks any official representation on the ballot.
The sudden absence directly impacts Isa Ali Pantami, following a complex series of court battles regarding the internal party primary election that originally produced his candidacy.
A Federal High Court previously nullified his initial emergence, ordering a rerun primary that took place on September 29, where he defeated competitors like Khamisu Mailantarki and Usman Aliyu Garry.
Electoral Act Regulations and Party Compliance
The official lists published and signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony carry no explicit explanations for the missing names or the complete lack of party representation.
However, Mohammed Haruna warned that political formations failing to meet strict membership register requirements would face severe penalties, including barred participation.
Under Section 32 of the electoral guidelines, affected parties retain a specific 14 day window to formally address missing candidate nominations through written communication and affidavits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Ladi Adebutu and Isa Ali Pantami missing from the INEC list?
Ladi Adebutu and Isa Ali Pantami were left off the final INEC governorship list due to disputes over party membership registers and court challenges regarding their primary election processes.
When are the 2027 governorship elections scheduled to take place?
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the upcoming governorship elections to hold on February 6, 2027.
Which political party is affected by the candidate omissions in Ogun and Gombe?
The Peoples Democratic Party is missing from the final candidate lists for both Ogun and Gombe states in the upcoming elections.
What did the Federal High Court decide regarding the Gombe primary?
The Federal High Court in Gombe nullified the initial primary election on September 24, which led the Peoples Democratic Party to conduct a rerun primary on September 29.
