Pantami and Adebutu's Candidacies Uncertain for 2027 Elections

Three opposition governorship candidates, Prof Isa Pantami of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe, Oladipupo Adebutu of the PDP in Ogun, and Aminu Gwarzo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano, are uncertain about their candidacies for the February 6, 2027 elections. This follows the expiration of the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) deadline for complaints regarding omitted candidates on October 24.

The omissions were based on a Supreme Court judgment affirming specific sections of the Electoral Act, which require parties to submit membership registers to INEC within a specified timeframe. Both the PDP and NDC have protested the exclusions, asserting compliance with the law.

PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Jungudo, indicated that the party would pursue legal action if the issue remains unresolved within 14 days. Additionally, the party's National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, filed an affidavit challenging the exclusions.

The Ogun PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, expressed confidence that INEC would rectify the omissions.