BREAKING: Fresh Twist As INEC Removes Pantami From Final List Of Gombe Governorship Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has omitted the name of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, from the final list of candidates for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election.

According to a report by Daily Post on Saturday, October 10, 2026, INEC released the final list of 16 candidates cleared to participate in the February 6, 2027, governorship election, with Pantami’s name missing from the updated document.

The former minister had featured on the provisional list of candidates published by the electoral commission on August 29; However, his name did not appear on the final list released ahead of the election.

The reason for Pantami’s exclusion was not stated in the report.

The development comes amid a similar situation in Ogun State, where INEC’s final list reportedly omitted the names of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and his running mate.

In Gombe State, the candidates included in the final list represent several political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

Bala Bello Tinka of the ADC, Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the APC, and Babayo Ardo Kumo of the NDC are among those listed to contest the governorship election.

Other candidates cleared by INEC include Zubairu Mu’azu Halilu of the Labour Party, Lamela L. Silas of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Ibrahim Jalo Abubakar of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Adamu Mohammed Ma’aji of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Pantami’s absence from the final list represents a notable development in the build-up to the Gombe governorship election, especially given his inclusion in the earlier provisional list.

Further information on the circumstances surrounding the omission is awaited.

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