Following the review of 130 petitions challenging candidate omissions across the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has updated the official roster for the 2027 governorship and State Assembly races.
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has secured full clearance to run as the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State after the commission validated his representation.
Conversely, prominent political figures face continued exclusion ahead of the polls. The petition filed by Ogun State PDP candidate Ladi Adebutu was declined because his name was absent from his party’s original candidate submission.
In Kano State, deputy governor Aminu Gwarzo failed to secure clearance due to an ex parte order from the Federal High Court restraining the publication of his name pending ongoing litigation.
INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna confirmed that out of 69 governorship petitions received across 26 states, 41 were upheld while 28 were dismissed.
The decisions follow mandatory compliance guidelines under the Electoral Act requiring political parties to submit verified membership registers.
