Political parties and aspirants are seeking clarification from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after several prominent politicians were omitted from published candidate lists ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
Among those reported missing are former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Gombe State, and the party’s Ogun State candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu.
Reports published on October 10 and 11 indicated that INEC’s lists for Gombe and Ogun states did not include PDP governorship candidates. The omissions have raised questions about nomination procedures, party membership records and compliance with electoral requirements.
Political Parties Seek Clarification
The development has generated concern among affected political parties and their supporters, with reports indicating that some parties are engaging INEC in efforts to resolve the situation.
While some party officials have questioned the possibility of administrative errors, other cases appear connected to disputes over candidate nominations, party membership registers and legal proceedings.
The Action Alliance was also reported to be considering legal action over candidates it believes should have been included on the list.
However, each case requires separate examination, as the reasons for omissions may differ from one state or political party to another.
Pantami and Adebutu Among Prominent Names Missing
Pantami and Adebutu are among the most prominent politicians affected by the published lists.
In Ogun State, the PDP has rejected allegations questioning Adebutu’s membership status, maintaining that the party complied with the relevant requirements. His name and that of his running mate were nevertheless absent from INEC’s published list, according to media reports.
Pantami, who emerged from a fresh PDP governorship primary in Gombe State, was also omitted. The published documents reportedly did not provide specific explanations for the exclusions.
Other names mentioned in reports about the wider controversy include Aminu Gwarzo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Kano State, former senator Danjuma Tella La’ah in Kaduna State and the Social Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Benue State, Professor Sebastine Hon, SAN. Their individual circumstances should be confirmed against the relevant state lists and official statements.
Legal Requirements Add to the Dispute
The controversy comes amid legal questions surrounding party membership registers and the nomination of candidates.
According to reporting by Premium Times, a Supreme Court ruling on September 24 restored provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 relating to party membership registers and participation in primaries. The ruling has implications for candidates whose eligibility or nomination processes are disputed.
The legal position makes it important to distinguish between an alleged administrative omission and a candidate’s possible failure to satisfy statutory or judicial requirements.
In Kwara State, the supplied report said African Action Congress candidate Duwatsu Musa was excluded because he had not reached the constitutional minimum age of 35 for a governorship candidate. That explanation should be confirmed against the official record before publication.
Affected Candidates Urge Calm
Some affected candidates have reportedly appealed to supporters to remain calm while their parties pursue discussions with INEC and consider available legal remedies.
The PDP has also been reported to be engaging the commission over the omissions, while affected party representatives maintain that they complied with the relevant nomination procedures.
INEC’s official website provides access to its 2027 election updates and published candidate lists. The commission’s documents and any subsequent clarifications will be central to determining the status of candidates whose names are missing.
As preparations for the elections continue, the disputes underline the importance of transparent nomination procedures, compliance with electoral law and timely clarification of candidates’ eligibility.
