INEC to Decide Pantami, Adebutu's Fate Over Missing Names

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission is expected to determine the fate of former Communications and Digital Economy Minister Isa Pantami, Ogun State politician Ladi Adebutu and other aspirants whose names were omitted from its final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship elections.

INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna disclosed that the commission would consider the matter at its meeting scheduled for Thursday.

Pantami is seeking the Gombe governorship, while Adebutu is the Peoples Democratic Party's aspirant for the Ogun governorship election.

Their names were among those omitted from the list published by the electoral commission on October 10. Other affected politicians include Aminu Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate in Kano State, and Danjuma Laah, the party's candidate in Kaduna State.

The omissions triggered protests and legal actions by affected politicians and their parties, who are seeking to have their candidacies recognised.

INEC attributed the exclusions to the failure of the affected political parties to submit their membership registers within the stipulated period.

The commission's position followed a September 24 Supreme Court judgment upholding the constitutionality of provisions in the Electoral Act 2026 requiring political parties to submit their membership registers before conducting valid primaries, congresses and conventions.

The commission's decision is expected to have significant implications for the affected parties as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.