INEC Final List Reveals Why Adebutu And Pantami Missing From 2027 Guber Race

According to a report by The Punch on Saturday, October 10, 2026, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is gripped by political tension after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the final list of candidates for the governorship elections on February 6, 2027.

The publication, which was signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, failed to include the PDP on the lists for the states of Ogun and Gombe.

Ladi Adebutu of Ogun State and Professor Isa Ali Pantami of Gombe State, both prominent figures in the opposition, are no longer in the race as a result of this development.

There were contentious disagreements about whether Adebutu’s name was on the party’s membership list that was submitted to the electoral commission in Ogun State, where thirteen candidates were successful.

The electoral umpire excluded the party from the final lineup, despite the state chapter’s vehement defense of his status and assertion that all legal requirements had been satisfied.

Pantami, who had previously served as minister of communications and digital economy, was not included in Gombe’s 16-candidate list.

Due to noncompliance with electoral guidelines, a Federal High Court invalidated his initial emergence on September 24, putting it to a halt legally.

Pantami did not advance to the final round, despite winning the September 29 rerun primary.

Mohammed Haruna, the national commissioner for information and voter education at INEC, had earlier issued a warning that political parties would not be able to field candidates if they did not adhere to stringent membership-registration requirements.

Official justifications for the particular omissions are absent from the recently released papers of the commission.

In the event that any party feels wronged by the omission of a candidate’s name from the ballot, they have fourteen days from the date of the election to submit a written notice with an affidavit to rectify the situation.

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