2027: Why we disqualified, Pantami, Adebutu, Gwarzo – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified the disqualification of certain candidates for the 2027 governorship elections, stating that the decision was based on their political parties' failure to submit membership registers in accordance with statutory requirements. The exclusion affected notable candidates such as Isa Pantami and Ladi Adebutu, who were prominent aspirants in Gombe and Ogun states, respectively.

The reason for their disqualification was attributed to the Supreme Court's September 24, 2026, ruling in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026, which upheld the constitutional validity of Section 77(5)–(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026. These provisions require political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC within a prescribed timeframe.

INEC explained that it implemented the court's ruling when compiling the list of governorship candidates, in accordance with Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. The final lists of presidential and National Assembly candidates were published on September 12, 2026, 13 days before the Supreme Court delivered its ruling.

INEC also noted that any political party claiming improper exclusion has 14 days from the date of publication to notify the commission.

Brief written by urgent.news from Daily Post Nigeria's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.