2027: INEC Finally Reveals Fate Of Adebutu, Gwarzo And Pantami As 64 Petitions Are Rejected

According to a report by The Punch on Friday, October 30, 2026, uncertainty surrounds the political ambitions of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, following the rejection of their petitions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The electoral commission reportedly rejected their applications among 64 petitions dismissed on Thursday after examining complaints submitted by political parties and their candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and Gombe State PDP governorship candidate, Isa Ali Pantami, has successfully secured INEC’s clearance to participate in the election.

An official familiar with the development, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, explained that Adebutu’s petition was unsuccessful because his name was missing from the list of candidates initially submitted by the PDP. This development has raised questions about his eligibility to participate in the forthcoming governorship contest.

Regarding Gwarzo, the source disclosed that his name would have been included among the cleared candidates if not for an interim order issued by the Federal High Court. The order reportedly restrained INEC from publishing his name, leaving his political future dependent on the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings.

In an official statement signed by Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission confirmed that it approved 66 petitions while dismissing another 64 after completing its review.

INEC explained that its decisions followed an examination of the complaints, available documentation and relevant provisions of the law. The commission also provided a breakdown of the petitions received from political parties across different states.

According to the electoral body, 69 petitions relating to governorship elections were submitted by 12 political parties across 26 states. Of these, 41 were successful, while 28 were rejected.

Similarly, 61 petitions concerning State Houses of Assembly elections were received from 11 political parties across 11 states. INEC approved 25 of them but dismissed the remaining 36.

The commission further disclosed that some candidates who had been mistakenly published were removed after investigations established that their names were absent from their respective parties’ membership registers.

INEC announced that an updated list of eligible candidates would be uploaded to its official website on Friday. It had previously attributed the omissions to political parties’ failure to comply with the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the submission of valid membership registers.

The commission also referenced the Supreme Court’s September 24, 2026, judgment, which affirmed the provisions contained in Section 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act.

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