The political future of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, remains uncertain following the rejection of their petitions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State, Isa Ali Pantami, has been cleared to contest in the 2027 governorship election.
An INEC source, who spoke to journalists on Thursday night on condition of anonymity, said Adebutu and Gwarzo were among candidates whose complaints were not upheld after the commission reviewed petitions challenging the final lists of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates.
The source explained that Adebutu’s petition was rejected because his name was not included in the list of candidates originally submitted to INEC by the PDP.
On Gwarzo, the source said his clearance was affected by an ex parte order issued by the Federal High Court, restraining INEC from publishing his name.
The source added that Gwarzo’s eligibility would depend on the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings concerning his candidacy.
Meanwhile, INEC says it upheld 66 petitions challenging the final lists of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections, while rejecting 64 others.
The commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday night and signed by the Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
INEC had published the list of presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly candidates on October 10, 2026, with the names of Adebutu, Pantami and Gwarzo, among others, initially missing.
The electoral commission is expected to publish an updated list of candidates following the review of the petitions.
