Reactions As Pantami, Gwarzo Scale INEC Hurdle, Adebutu Fails

Commission upholds 41 gov petitions Fresh names delisted

By Ademu Idakwo, Abuja; Longtong Yakubu, Kano; Babaji Usman Babaji; and Femi Oye weso, Abeokuta

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reportedly cleared former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, and New Nigeria Development Party (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, following its consideration of petitions filed by political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The commission also reportedly rejected the petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu.

A source at INEC disclosed yesterday that the commission received 69 petitions from political parties, of which approximately 36 were successful.

RELATED: INEC Upholds Pantami, Gwarzo Candidacies, Rejects Adebutu’s Appeal

The source said the commission’s legal department was compiling the final figures ahead of an official statement on the outcome of the petitions.

“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.

In Pantami’s case, the source confirmed, “Yes, Pantami has been cleared.”

The source, however, cautioned that the reported clearance remained subject to the outcome of pending court cases.

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

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

On Adebutu’s petition, the source said, “He did not succeed.”

The reported decisions have generated reactions among supporters of the affected candidates, particularly in Gombe and Kano states, where questions surrounding the eligibility of some candidates had triggered political and legal disputes.

A member of Pantami’s legal team, Barrister Attahir Ibrahim, expressed satisfaction with the development, saying he had not been unduly concerned about the political and legal challenges surrounding the former minister’s candidacy.

“Though I have never been concerned, it is something to be happy about,” Ibrahim said.

He added that those familiar with the history of power and political struggles around the world should not be surprised by developments surrounding Pantami’s political ambition.

“Anyone who understands the history of power and political struggles around the world would not be surprised or frightened by anything that happens. This is because I know that power belongs to God. If He decides to give someone power, no matter what anyone does, they cannot prevent it,” he said.

Ibrahim disclosed that Pantami’s political journey had attracted interest beyond his immediate associates, with relatives, friends and supporters from different communities and states regularly contacting him for updates.

According to him, some of those seeking information did not personally know Pantami but had followed developments surrounding his candidacy. He added that a radio station had also requested an interview with him on the matter.

Pantami emerged as the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State following a court-ordered rerun of the party’s primary election on September 29, 2026.

His name was omitted from INEC’s final list of candidates published on October 10, prompting legal and political efforts to secure his inclusion. However, the commission’s publicly available list had yet to reflect his reinstatement, leaving the reported outcome of his petition subject to formal clarification.

The disputes over the eligibility of some candidates followed questions about compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 concerning political parties’ membership registers and the submission of relevant records to INEC.

NDC Awaits Official Confirmation

In Kano State, NDC chairman, Husseini Mairiga, said the party was awaiting an official statement from INEC before making a final declaration on the reported clearance of its governorship candidate, Gwarzo.

Speaking to our reporter on the telephone, Mairiga said party officials had been advised to wait for the commission’s formal announcement.

“This is good news and big news to us. But I spoke with people at INEC, and they told me to wait until tomorrow when their press release would come out,” he said.

Adebutu’s Camp Keeps Mum

Meanwhile, key figures in the political camp of Ogun State PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, declined to comment on the reported rejection of his petition by INEC.

Efforts by LEADERSHIP to obtain reactions from the party’s state chairman, Dr Abayomi Tella, and Adebutu’s media aide, Afolabi Orekoya, were unsuccessful, as neither responded to repeated telephone calls.

Calls to Tella initially rang without being answered, while subsequent attempts indicated that his line was unreachable.

Fresh Names Delisted

Meanwhile, Mohammed Haruna, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee at INEC, had said  some of the names initially published had been delisted.

In a statement he said, “Further to its Press Statement of 13th October, 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to inform political parties, candidates and the general public of the outcome of its consideration of complaints received following the publication of the final lists of Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates on 10th October, 2026.

“The complaints concerned the omission of certain political parties, the wrongful inclusion of candidates of political parties whose names were not contained in the membership registers submitted by their political parties, and instances of alleged multiple nominations.

“Following a review of the complaints, relevant records and applicable legal provisions, the Commission found merit in some representations and approved the inclusion of affected candidates and their political parties, while complaints found to be without merit were declined. In addition, some names that were wrongfully published in the final list were removed after verifying that their names were not on the register.

“The Commission also approved the removal of candidates whose nominations were found to be inconsistent with the applicable legal requirements. In particular, the decisions affecting State Houses of Assembly candidates sponsored by political parties were informed by specific complaints received and determined in accordance with the law and the Commission’s established criteria.”

Haruna also said 41 of governorship petitions were upheld.