The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun engaging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the omission of its governorship candidates, Ladi Adebutu and Isa Ali Pantami, from the commission’s final list for the 2027 elections in Ogun and Gombe states.
Key Highlights
- PDP is engaging INEC after its Ogun and Gombe governorship candidates were left off the final list.
- Ladi Adebutu (Ogun) and Isa Ali Pantami (Gombe) were omitted from the list published on Saturday.
- PDP spokesman Jungudo Mohammed said the party seeks an amicable resolution in line with the law.
- The list reportedly has 13 governorship candidates in Ogun and 16 in Gombe, none from the PDP.
- The governorship elections hold on February 6, 2027.
The development follows INEC’s publication of its final list of candidates on Saturday, which excluded the PDP from the governorship contests in both states ahead of the February 6, 2027 elections.
The omissions mean that neither Adebutu, the party’s candidate in Ogun State, nor Pantami, its candidate in Gombe State, appeared on the published list.
PDP Seeks Amicable Resolution
In a statement issued on Sunday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, said the party was already engaging the electoral commission to resolve the matter in accordance with the law and established electoral guidelines.
“The party wishes to assure all affected candidates, members and supporters that it is already engaging with INEC to address the issues responsible for the omissions, with a view to securing an amicable resolution in accordance with the law and established electoral guidelines,” Mohammed said.
The party said it is treating the development with the seriousness it deserves and pledged to communicate further developments as the discussions progressed.
It also appealed to affected candidates, party members and supporters to remain calm and avoid actions or statements that could undermine the ongoing engagements with INEC.
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INEC’s final list, signed by the commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, reportedly contains 13 governorship candidates in Ogun State and 16 in Gombe State, with no PDP candidate included in either state.
The omission has raised concerns for the PDP as preparations intensify for the 2027 governorship elections.
However, the PDP has expressed its intention to resolve the issue through engagement with INEC, rather than allow the matter to escalate while discussions remain ongoing.
The commission’s final list has become a significant point of concern for the party, particularly because the affected candidates are expected to contest in two states where the PDP had sought to participate in the governorship elections.
The party has not, in the statement, provided further details on the specific issues responsible for the omissions or disclosed the outcome of its discussions with the commission.
It remains to be seen whether the engagement will lead to the inclusion of the affected candidates in the final lists ahead of the February 2027 polls.
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