2027: PDP Battles INEC Over Exclusion Of Adebutu, Pantami From Final Candidates’ List

Daud Olatunji

The Peoples Democratic Party has said it is engaging the Independent National Electoral Commission to resolve the exclusion of some of its candidates from the final lists for the 2027 general elections, following the omission of its governorship aspirants in Ogun and Gombe states.

The affected candidates include Ogun State governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, who is seeking to govern Gombe State.

The development came after INEC published its final governorship candidates’ lists on Saturday, triggering concerns within the opposition party over the status of the affected aspirants ahead of the elections.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the spokesperson for the PDP camp backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Jungudo Mohammed, said the party was treating the matter with the seriousness it deserved.

Mohammed said the party had opened discussions with INEC to establish the circumstances surrounding the omissions and seek a resolution in line with the law and established electoral guidelines.

“The PDP therefore assures all concerned that it is treating this development with the utmost seriousness it deserves and will communicate further developments as appropriate,” the statement said.

He added that the party remained committed to ensuring that all legitimate concerns were properly addressed by the electoral commission.

The PDP spokesperson appealed to the affected candidates, party members and supporters to remain calm and avoid actions or statements capable of undermining the ongoing discussions with INEC.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of a September 24 judgment of the Supreme Court, which restored key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 dealing with political party membership registers and the nomination of candidates for elections.

The apex court, in a judgment delivered by a seven-member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro, upheld an appeal filed by INEC and restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.

The provisions had earlier been voided by the Court of Appeal in July.

In its decision, the Supreme Court held that the provisions were not inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution, thereby reinstating their legal effect.

Section 77(5) provides that only individuals whose names appear in a political party’s membership register submitted to INEC at least 21 days before a primary, congress or convention can participate in the exercise.

Section 77(6) prohibits political parties from using any membership register other than the one submitted to the electoral commission for their primaries, congresses and conventions.

Section 77(7), meanwhile, provides that a political party that fails to submit its membership register within the stipulated period cannot field a candidate for the election.

INEC had earlier indicated that it would determine the implications of the Supreme Court judgment for the nomination of candidates for the 2027 elections.

However, the PDP’s latest position suggests that discussions are ongoing to address the circumstances surrounding the exclusion of the affected aspirants.

Meanwhile, Adebutu has vowed to challenge his exclusion from INEC’s final governorship list, setting the stage for a possible legal battle over his eligibility to contest the Ogun State governorship election.

.....