2027 Governorship List: PDP Engages INEC Over Omission of Adebutu, Pantami, Others

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is engaging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the omission of its governorship candidates, Oladipupo Adebutu of Ogun State and former Communications Minister Isa Ali Pantami of Gombe State, from the commission’s final list ahead of the February 6, 2027 elections.

INEC published its final list of governorship candidates on Saturday, October 10, leaving the PDP without a listed candidate in both states. Adebutu’s running mate in Ogun State was also omitted.

The development has triggered reactions from the party and the affected candidates’ supporters, who are seeking a resolution before the electoral process advances further.

In Ogun State, the PDP accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of exerting undue pressure on INEC to exclude Adebutu. The party’s state Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adebayo, maintained that Adebutu remained a registered PDP member and had completed the required registration and verification procedures within the stipulated period.

The party said his membership details were submitted to INEC on time and expressed confidence that the omission would be addressed.

In Gombe State, Pantami’s omission followed a series of legal disputes over the process that produced him as the PDP’s governorship candidate.

A Federal High Court had nullified his initial nomination and ordered a fresh primary. Pantami subsequently won the rerun conducted on September 29, defeating Khamisu Mailantarki and Usman Aliyu Garry.

Despite that victory, his name did not appear on INEC’s final list. The Pantami Campaign Organization and the Pantamiyya Movement described the omission as a temporary challenge and said their legal and liaison teams were engaging relevant party officials and the commission.

INEC has not publicly provided a specific explanation for the omissions. The development comes after a September 24 Supreme Court judgment restored provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 requiring political parties to use membership registers submitted to the commission within the prescribed period when conducting primaries.

Under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, a political party whose nominated candidate is missing from the published list may notify INEC in writing within 14 days, supported by an affidavit and signed by the party’s national chairman and secretary.

The omissions have raised questions about the PDP’s participation in the two governorship contests. The party’s engagement with INEC and any subsequent legal action could determine whether the disputed nominations receive further consideration.