INEC Excludes Pantami and Adebutu from 2027 Election List

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of governorship candidates for the 2027 elections, with notable omissions including Professor Isa Ali Pantami in Gombe State and Hon. Ladi Adebutu in Ogun State. The absence of these candidates has sparked concerns regarding their participation in the elections.

In Gombe, supporters of Pantami expressed worry over his name not appearing on the INEC list, despite a reported primary election held on September 29, 2026, following a Federal High Court order. A statement from the Pantamiyya Movement urged calm and indicated ongoing discussions with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and INEC to resolve the issue.

In Ogun State, the omission of Adebutu led to celebrations among some All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters, who viewed it as a political advantage. INEC's list for Ogun included 13 candidates, with Adeola Solomon Olamilekan representing the APC and Lawal Jimi Adebisi from the African Democratic Congress.