INEC CANDIDATE LIST SPARKS POLITICAL TENSION AS PANTAMI, ADEBUTU AND OTHER ASPIRANTS ARE OMITTED

By NaijaParrot October 12, 2026 

 ABUJA, NIGERIA —

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) publication of the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections has triggered fresh political controversy, following the omission of several prominent aspirants and governorship candidates from the list. The development has prompted protests, calls for clarification and efforts by affected political parties to resolve discrepancies they say could affect their participation in the elections. According to reports published on October 11 and 12, the affected politicians include former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, who emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, and the party’s Ogun State governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu. The omissions have raised questions about party nomination procedures, compliance with electoral requirements and the legal challenges surrounding some candidacies.

Pantami and Adebutu are among the high-profile figures whose absence has attracted attention. In Gombe State, Pantami reportedly won a fresh PDP governorship primary after a court nullified his earlier emergence and ordered the party to conduct another primary. Despite the rerun, his name was absent from INEC’s published list. In Ogun State, Adebutu’s name was also missing, alongside that of his running mate. The PDP has maintained that Adebutu was duly nominated and has challenged the omission. Other reported omissions include Aminu Gwarzo, the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kano State; Danjuma Tella La’ah in Kaduna State; and Professor Sebastine Hon, the Social Democratic Party’s candidate in Benue State. The specific circumstances differ from one candidate to another. 

 The omissions do not appear to have a single explanation. Some political parties have raised concerns about possible administrative or technical discrepancies, while other cases are connected to disputes over party primaries, membership records and court proceedings. A significant legal development came on September 24, 2026, when the Supreme Court restored provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 concerning party membership registers and participation in party primaries. The provisions restrict participation in primaries to party members whose names appear on membership registers submitted to INEC within the legally prescribed period. They also establish requirements concerning the submission and use of those registers. The ruling has become central to discussions about the eligibility of some aspirants. However, it would be inaccurate to assume that every omission resulted from the judgment, as the reasons may vary between cases. 

 Political parties affected by the omissions have reportedly begun engaging INEC in an effort to resolve the disputes. The PDP has maintained that its candidates in Gombe and Ogun States satisfied the relevant nomination requirements. Other parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress and African Democratic Congress, have also raised concerns about missing candidates. The Action Alliance has reportedly threatened legal action over the exclusion of some of its candidates. Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress has protested the absence of its endorsed deputy governorship candidate in Jigawa State. These developments underline the importance of accurate candidate records and timely clarification as preparations for the 2027 elections continue. 

 The absence of a candidate’s name from INEC’s published list raises immediate questions about that person’s participation in the election. However, the legal implications depend on the circumstances surrounding the omission, the applicable electoral provisions and any relevant court orders. Affected parties may seek clarification from INEC or pursue appropriate legal remedies where they believe the commission’s action or the nomination process was unlawful. Until the circumstances of individual cases are established, it is important to distinguish between a confirmed omission from the published list, a party’s explanation for that omission and any allegation about how it occurred. 

 has published candidate lists and related statutory notices for the 2027 general elections through its official website. The commission’s published documents are the primary reference for confirming which candidates have been listed for particular contests. The developing controversy is likely to keep attention focused on the commission, political parties and the courts as affected candidates seek clarity over their status. 

 The omission of several prominent aspirants from INEC’s final candidate lists has exposed continuing disputes over party nominations, membership records and compliance with electoral law ahead of the 2027 general elections. While affected parties are seeking answers, the reasons for each omission must be considered individually rather than attributed to a single cause.

NaijaParrot will continue to monitor official statements, legal proceedings and verified updates concerning the affected candidates. 

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