The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday published the final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 governorship elections, omitting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in Gombe and Ogun states as well as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in Kano State.
The lists, signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony and released on the commission’s website, show 16 governorship candidates from other parties in Gombe State and 13 in Ogun State — none from the PDP. The missing names are Ali Pantami (PDP, Gombe), Ladi Adebutu (PDP, Ogun) and Aminu Gwarzo (NDC, Kano).
In contrast, INEC cleared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda, who appears as number five on the 19-man list for the state.
INEC did not publicly state the specific reasons for the omissions. The decision is widely linked to a September 24 Supreme Court judgment in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party. The ruling restored the validity of Sections 77(5), (6), (7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which bar political parties from fielding candidates whose names were not included in the membership registers submitted to INEC within the stipulated timeframe.
Pantami, a former APC member who defected on May 19, had emerged as the PDP candidate after winning a court-ordered rerun primary on September 29. He featured on the provisional list published on August 29 but is absent from the final list. Under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, parties have 14 days to notify INEC in writing, supported by an affidavit, if a nominated candidate’s name is missing.
Reacting to the omission, Pantami’s camp described it as a temporary setback. In a statement signed by Professor Suleiman Mohammed Gombe, the team said legal and liaison officers were engaging the PDP and INEC to ensure compliance with court orders and correct the list within the time allowed by law. Supporters were urged to remain calm.
In Ogun State, neither Adebutu nor his running mate, Kolapo-Sowunmi, appeared on the list. The state PDP publicity secretary, Kayode Adebayo, insisted Adebutu had duly registered as a party member within the required period and blamed the omission on “undue pressure” from the ruling party. He assured residents that the candidate’s name would still be published and that Adebutu remained on course for victory.
In Kano, NDC state chairman Alhaji Hussaini Mairiga rejected any suggestion of a change in the party’s ticket. He maintained that Gwarzo and his running mate, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, were duly nominated and submitted in line with all guidelines. Mairiga attributed the absence of Gwarzo’s name to a possible administrative mix-up rather than an official rejection by INEC.
The publication of the final list fulfils a commitment made by INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan at a press conference in Abuja earlier last week. Parties affected by the omissions now have a limited window to seek rectification under the Electoral Act.