INEC Excludes Pantami, Adebutu From 2027 Governorship Lists, Raising Questions Over PDP’s Electoral Future.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has omitted prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) figures Isa Ali Pantami and Oladipupo Adebutu from its published lists of governorship candidates for the 2027 elections in Gombe and Ogun states, respectively.

The development has raised fresh questions about the PDP’s preparations for the forthcoming governorship elections, particularly its ability to resolve nomination and eligibility disputes ahead of the polls scheduled for February 6, 2027.

According toNews report published on October 10, neither Pantami nor Adebutu appeared on the lists released by the electoral commission. Adebutu’s running mate was also absent from the Ogun State list. INEC’s published documents did not provide specific explanations for the omissions.

Legal Dispute Surrounds Pantami’s Candidacy

Pantami, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, had emerged as the PDP’s governorship candidate in Gombe State following a fresh primary election held on September 29.

The fresh exercise followed a September 24 ruling by the Federal High Court in Gombe, which nullified his earlier emergence as the party’s candidate and ordered a rerun over procedural irregularities.

Pantami subsequently won the rerun, defeating other aspirants. However, his absence from INEC’s published list has created further uncertainty about the PDP’s participation in the Gombe governorship election.

The commission has not publicly stated in the reported list why Pantami’s name was omitted.

Adebutu’s Omission Triggers Political Reactions in Ogun

In Ogun State, Adebutu, the PDP’s governorship candidate, and his running mate were also missing from the published list of candidates for the February 2027 election.

The omission comes amid questions about whether Adebutu’s name appeared in the party membership register submitted to INEC, an issue that has generated debate over his eligibility.

The Ogun State chapter of the PDP rejected suggestions that its candidate was improperly nominated. The party described reports questioning his candidacy as propaganda and maintained that Adebutu remained its legitimate candidate.

The PDP also expressed confidence that his name would ultimately appear on the ballot. However, the commission had not publicly provided a detailed explanation for his omission in the reports available at the time of publication.

Implications for the 2027 Elections

The developments highlight the legal and administrative challenges political parties may face as preparations intensify for the 2027 governorship elections.

Under the Electoral Act 2026, Section 32 provides procedures for addressing omissions from published candidate lists. The applicable process and deadlines could become important to parties seeking to resolve such disputes before the elections.

For the PDP, the absence of its candidates in Gombe and Ogun presents a significant political challenge. The eventual outcome will depend on the circumstances surrounding each omission, the party’s response and any subsequent action by the electoral commission or the courts.

The situation also underscores the importance of compliance with electoral laws, proper party membership records and transparent nomination procedures as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.

INEC’s handling of the disputes will be closely watched by political parties, candidates and voters seeking clarity over who will contest the 2027 governorship elections.