As preparations for the 2027 general elections dey gather momentum, political drama don begin show face, and this time na INEC get the whistle. The Independent National Electoral Commission don finish reviewing petitions from political parties and candidates wey challenge the omission of their names from the final candidates’ list. But while some political camps don receive better news, others still dey calculate their next move. Ogun State PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, don suffer setback, former Communications Minister Isa Ali Pantami don receive clearance, while Kano State NDC candidate, Aminu Gwarzo, still get court matter wey fit affect im ambition. For this electoral examination, no be everybody wey submit complaint go collect the answer wey dem expect!
ADEBUTU’S INEC PETITION FAILS AS PANTAMI AND GWARZO GET DIFFERENT VERDICTS
According to information from an insider familiar with the development, INEC reviewed complaints submitted after the publication of the final candidates’ list on October 10, 2026. One of the major casualties of the exercise na Adebutu, whose petition to challenge im exclusion from the Ogun State governorship candidates’ list no succeed. The reason wey INEC source give be say im name no dey among the candidates originally submitted to the commission by PDP. In other words, the problem no simply concern whether Adebutu get political ambition or supporters; na the documentation wey im party submit become major issue. For political matter, supporters fit shout name tire, but electoral register no dey respond to campaign noise.
For the other side, Pantami receive better news as INEC clear im candidacy to contest for Gombe State under PDP. Gwarzo, wey be NDC governorship candidate for Kano State, also receive positive consideration from the commission, but im matter no completely finish because of an existing Federal High Court order and pending litigation. This clarification important because early reports initially present Gwarzo as one of the candidates whose petitions fail. However, subsequent information indicate say INEC clear am subject to the final outcome of the court case. So, while Pantami fit breathe small, Gwarzo still need make sure say the courtroom no change the political calculation.
INEC PETITIONS AND THE ELECTORAL LAW BEHIND THE POLITICAL DRAMA
According to the commission’s breakdown, INEC receive 130 petitions concerning governorship and State House of Assembly candidates. Out of the 69 petitions wey concern governorship elections across 26 states, 41 succeed while 28 fail. For State House of Assembly elections, 61 petitions come from 11 political parties across 11 states, with 25 succeeding and 36 rejected. When dem combine the figures, na 66 successful petitions and 64 rejected petitions. This means say the 64 rejected petitions no concern governorship candidates alone, as some reports fit make people believe. INEC say e review the complaints, relevant records and applicable legal provisions before e reach the decisions.
The matter also connect to Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act 2026, wey concerns submission of political parties’ membership registers to INEC. The Supreme Court reportedly upheld the constitutionality of the relevant provisions, including the requirement for parties to submit their membership registers within the prescribed period. INEC later explain say some candidates disappear from the final list because their political parties no meet the membership-register requirements, while other complaints involve wrongful inclusion and alleged multiple nominations.
The commission also announce say e go update the candidates’ list to reflect the outcome of the petitions. This development carry serious lesson for political parties: primary elections, membership records and nomination documents no be ordinary office paperwork wey anybody fit arrange anyhow. If party officials no handle their records properly, na the candidate wey go face the political consequences.
As the 2027 elections dey approach, the real test for political parties no go end with winning primaries or gathering supporters; dem must also satisfy the legal requirements wey go allow their candidates appear on the ballot. Adebutu’s unsuccessful petition don create another challenge for Ogun PDP, Pantami don receive an important boost for Gombe, while Gwarzo’s political future still depend partly on wetin the court go decide. INEC must also ensure say e apply electoral rules fairly and explain im decisions clearly, because credibility no dey come from announcing figures alone. For now, the political race continue, and OGM News Pidgin go dey watch whether the remaining legal battles go produce another twist before election day.
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