Four governorship candidates not on INEC’s final list have exploded in protest, vowing to challenge what they call a plot to exclude them from the February 6, 2027 elections.
Big Names Missing, Tension Everywhere
The affected heavyweights are Ladi Adebutu of PDP in Ogun, Prof. Isa Pantami of PDP in Gombe, Abdulsalam Gwarzo of NDC in Kano and Danjuma La’ah of NDC in Kaduna.
Their supporters have been enveloped in apprehension since INEC released the list without explanation.
The parties have inundated INEC with complaints, seeking urgent clarification for the stunning omission.
Speculations point to the Supreme Court’s validation of Electoral Act 2026 provision on submission of candidates list not later than 21 days to primaries, with Certified True Copy received by INEC last week.
PDP: We Will Engage INEC
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, assured that the party is already engaging INEC to resolve the issues in line with the law.
He said: “PDP has noted with concern the omission… it is already engaging with INEC to address the issues… assuring that their names will be published,” urging candidates to remain calm.
Adebutu: I Am Still In Race
In Ogun, PDP insists Adebutu will be on the ballot. Head of Public Communications, Afolabi Orekoya, said the omission is shocking.
“Adebutu has never left PDP. How can his registration become an issue? Why only the governorship candidate out of 40 candidates? He has membership card with QR code. He was in initial list,” he fumed.
Kano, Gombe, Kaduna Camps Kick
In Kano, Kwankwasiyya spokesman Dr. Habibu Mohammed said Gwarzo was duly registered and remains NDC candidate, with no court order for omission.
In Gombe, Pantami’s camp described omission as temporary challenge, saying legal teams are engaging INEC. Pantami had won rerun primary on Sept 29 with 2,054 votes after court nullified earlier primary.
In Kaduna, La’ah’s name is missing while Gov Uba Sani and others made list. SDP also complained about omission of its candidates in Benue, Oyo, Bauchi and Sokoto, with spokesman Rufus Aiyenigba saying party is pursuing correction within 14-day window.
