By Hadiza Mohanned, Northern Operations

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, to contest the 2027 elections, subject to the final determination of pending court cases.

However, the commission has rejected a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, seeking a review of his exclusion from the final list of candidates for the forthcoming elections.

An INEC source disclosed the decisions to journalists on Thursday following a meeting of the commission, which reviewed 69 petitions submitted by political parties over the omission of candidates from the lists for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

According to the source, approximately 36 of the petitions were successful, while the remaining requests were rejected.

“We received a total of 69 petitions from political parties. Some of them were successful, I think about 36, and the rest didn’t succeed,” the source said.

The official explained that the commission was still awaiting the final figures from its legal department, which was preparing an official statement detailing the outcomes of the petitions.

Confirming Pantami’s clearance, the INEC source said the commission had no objection to his participation in the 2027 elections, despite the legal proceedings surrounding his candidacy.

“Yes, Pantami has been cleared,” the official said in response to a question about the PDP candidate in Gombe State.

Similarly, Gwarzo has received the commission’s approval to contest the Kano State governorship election under the NDC, although the decision remains subject to the outcome of ongoing litigation.

The source cautioned that the court could still issue a ruling affecting his candidacy.

“Because of the court case, the court may rule otherwise. So his approval is subject to whatever the court finally decides,” the official stated.

The commission maintained that it had no objection to either candidate contesting the elections, pending the resolution of the legal disputes.

“But we have no issues with their contesting as candidates,” the source added.

Gwarzo had approached the court to challenge INEC’s omission of his name and that of his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, from the published list of governorship candidates in Kano State.

In an originating summons dated October 20, 2026, the NDC candidate asked the court to declare their exclusion unlawful and direct INEC to recognise the duo as the party’s duly nominated governorship candidates.

Pantami’s candidacy has also been the subject of legal proceedings, with the INEC source indicating that a court proceeding in the matter was expected on Friday.

In a separate decision, INEC turned down Adebutu’s request for a review of his exclusion from the final list of governorship candidates in Ogun State.

The PDP candidate had challenged the commission’s decision, maintaining that he remained a registered member of the party and had fulfilled the requirements for membership registration.

Despite his argument, the commission declined to reverse its earlier position.

“He did not succeed,” the INEC source confirmed.

The rejection means Adebutu’s petition was unsuccessful in the commission’s review of complaints arising from the publication of the final candidates’ lists.

The petitions stemmed from complaints by political parties and candidates whose names were omitted from INEC’s lists ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The commission had attributed the exclusions to alleged failures by political parties to comply with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, particularly requirements concerning the submission of party membership registers.

INEC’s position followed a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, which affirmed the constitutionality of Section 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act. The provisions make the submission of membership registers a mandatory requirement for political parties.

The interpretation and application of the electoral provisions have become central to the disputes involving candidates seeking to challenge their exclusion from the official lists.

While Pantami and Gwarzo have received INEC’s approval, the pending court proceedings mean that their final eligibility remains subject to judicial determination.

For Gwarzo, the legal challenge specifically concerns the omission of both his name and that of his running mate from the Kano governorship candidates’ list.

Adebutu, meanwhile, sought to overturn his exclusion by arguing that he had maintained his PDP membership and complied with the party’s registration requirements.

INEC is expected to release a formal statement providing further details of its review of the 69 petitions, including the final number of successful and unsuccessful cases.

The commission’s forthcoming clarification is expected to shed more light on the decisions affecting candidates and political parties ahead of the 2027 elections.