INEC affirms Adebutu’s exclusion, clears Pantami, 40 others

The fate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, is still hanging in the balance, less than 75 days to the February 6, 2027 election.

Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cleared the Gombe State PDP candidate, Isa Ali Pantami, Adebutu’s name is still omitted on the list of governorship candidates.

Sources said Adebutu’s exclusion is because his name is not on the PDP membership register.

However, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo’s name remains omitted because of a subsisting interim court order restraining the electoral commission.

Patani was listed following the review of petitions by aggrieved candidates whose names were omitted.

According to INEC, 69 petitions were received from 12 political parties across 26 states in respect of the omission from the governorship candidates’ list.

However, Forty-one of the petitions succeeded while 28 failed

INEC said names of the successful candidates would be uploaded to its website.

A source said: “Pantami has been cleared. But because of the court case concerning Gwarzo, his approval is subject to whatever the court finally decides.” Following the omission, affected political parties and candidates were given up to Saturday, October 24 to make their complaints.

The National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, confirmed in a statement that some of the petitions were successful while others failed.

The statement reads: “Further to its Press Statement of 13th October, 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to inform political parties, candidates and the general public of the outcome of its consideration of complaints received following the publication of the final lists of Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates on 10th October, 2026.

“The complaints concerned the omission of certain political parties, the wrongful inclusion of candidates of political parties whose names were not contained in the membership registers submitted by their political parties, and instances of alleged multiple nominations.

“Following a review of the complaints, relevant records and applicable legal provisions, the Commission found merit in some representations and approved the inclusion of affected candidates and their political parties, while complaints found to be without merit were declined.

“In addition, some names that were wrongfully published in the final list were removed after verifying that their names were not on the register.

“The Commission also approved the removal of candidates whose nominations were found to be inconsistent with the applicable legal requirements. In particular, the decisions affecting State Houses of Assembly candidates sponsored by political parties were informed by specific complaints received and determined in accordance with the law and the Commission’s established criteria.

“In summary, a total of 69 petitions were received from 12 political parties across 26 states for the governorship election. Forty-one of the petitions succeeded while 28 failed. Similarly, for the State Houses of Assembly, 61 petitions were received from 11 political parties across 11 states. Twenty-five succeeded while 36 failed.

“The affected candidates, political parties and states will be reflected in the updated list on the Commission’s website.

“Once again, the Commission assures the public of its commitment to transparency and the credibility of the electoral process”.

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