INEC Gives Pantami, Adebutu October 24 Lifeline

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties until October 24 to report any wrongful omissions from its final candidates’ list for the 2027 governorship elections.

The directive follows widespread controversy and protests from affected parties after prominent politicians—including Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidates Oladipupo Adebutu of Ogun State and Isa Ali Pantami of Gombe State—were omitted from the official list published ahead of the February 6, 2027 polls.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna, the electoral body explained that it excluded non-compliant parties to enforce a crucial September 24 Supreme Court ruling.

The apex court upheld Sections 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which mandate political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC within a specified period and use those registers during primaries.

“Failure to comply with the provisions… renders the defaulting political parties ineligible to sponsor any candidate for the election,” the commission stated, adding that enforcing court decisions remains a constitutional duty under Section 287(1).

Addressing affected parties and candidates threatening legal action, INEC pointed to the 14-day statutory correction window provided under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act.

“Under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, political parties that believe their candidates were wrongly left off the list have 14 days from the date of publication to notify the commission,” INEC stated, assuring the public of its commitment to transparency and the rule of law.