The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, to participate in the 2027 general elections.
However, the commission’s approval of both candidates is subject to the final decisions of courts handling legal disputes surrounding their candidacies.
INEC also rejected a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, who had asked the commission to reconsider his exclusion from the final list of candidates for the 2027 elections.
The decisions followed a review of complaints submitted by political parties over the omission of some governorship and State House of Assembly candidates from INEC’s published list.
An official of the commission, who spoke to Daily Trust after a meeting held on Thursday, disclosed that INEC received 69 petitions from political parties and approved approximately 36 of them.
According to the official, the remaining petitions were unsuccessful, although the commission was still awaiting the final figures from its legal department before releasing an official statement.
Confirming Pantami’s clearance, the INEC official said the former minister, who is contesting the Gombe State governorship election on the platform of the PDP, had been approved.
“Yes, Pantami has been cleared,” the official reportedly stated.
Gwarzo was also cleared to contest the Kano State governorship election under the NDC. However, his approval remains subject to the outcome of the ongoing court case concerning his candidacy.
The official explained that the commission had no objection to his participation but noted that a final court ruling could affect the decision.
The development represents a major relief for Pantami and Gwarzo, whose names were missing from INEC’s list of governorship candidates published in October.
Their exclusion had generated controversy among political stakeholders, with both candidates taking steps to challenge the commission’s decision.
INEC had earlier explained that the omissions were connected to alleged failure by some political parties to comply with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, particularly the requirement to submit their membership registers to the commission.
The commission maintained that its position was based on the September 24, 2026, judgment of the Supreme Court, which upheld the constitutionality of Section 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act.
The provisions make the submission of party membership registers a compulsory requirement for political parties.
Following his exclusion, Gwarzo approached the court to challenge INEC’s decision to leave out his name and that of his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, from the Kano State governorship candidates’ list.
In an originating summons dated October 20, 2026, the NDC candidate asked the court to declare their exclusion unlawful and order INEC to recognise them as the party’s legitimate candidates for the election.
Pantami’s candidacy has equally been affected by legal proceedings, with the INEC official indicating that another court proceeding was expected to take place on Friday.
Meanwhile, Adebutu’s request for reconsideration did not receive a favourable response from the commission.
The PDP candidate had challenged his exclusion from the Ogun State governorship candidates’ list, insisting that he remained a registered member of the party and had fulfilled the necessary membership registration requirements.
Despite his arguments, INEC maintained its decision and rejected his petition.
The commission is expected to issue a formal statement providing further details about the 69 petitions received, the candidates cleared and those whose requests were unsuccessful.
The latest development adds another dimension to the political and legal battles surrounding the preparation for the 2027 general elections, particularly as affected candidates and political parties continue to challenge INEC’s decisions over the publication of final candidates’ lists.
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