2027: Fresh Controversy As PDP, NDC Challenge INEC Over Omission Of Adebutu, Pantami, Gwarzo

According to a report by Leadership on Monday 12 October 2026, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the omission of their governorship candidates from the final list for the 2027 elections.

The affected candidates are Ladi Adebutu of the PDP in Ogun State, Professor Isa Ali Pantami in Gombe State and Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo of the NDC in Kano State. Their running mates were also reportedly omitted.

The NDC has threatened legal action to secure the inclusion of Gwarzo and his running mate, Mustapha Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, in the list.

The party’s Kano State Chairman, Hussaini Isah Mairiga, attributed the omission to a technical error and expressed confidence that it would be resolved; INEC’s Kano office said it had forwarded the candidates’ details to its national headquarters but did not explain their exclusion.

Meanwhile, the PDP said it was engaging INEC to resolve the omissions affecting Adebutu and Pantami; Adebutu, however, alleged possible political interference and vowed to challenge his exclusion, insisting that he had fulfilled the party’s membership and nomination requirements.

INEC’s Oyo State office maintained that the commission published the names submitted by political parties.

The omissions have also affected governorship candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo and Benue states; The affected candidates expressed optimism that the errors would be corrected.

Reacting to the controversy, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) urged INEC to review the disputed lists transparently, explain the reasons for each omission and correct any verified administrative errors through lawful procedures.

Similarly, the Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) called for a level playing field, urging affected candidates to seek redress through appropriate channels.

The controversy has renewed concerns over INEC’s handling of candidate nominations and compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 ahead of the 2027 general elections.