The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined to clear Aminu Gwarzo, a close ally of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State for the 2027 general elections.

 

Gwarzo’s political future remains uncertain following INEC’s decision to reject his petition challenging his omission from the list of candidates published by the commission.

 

The development also affects former Ogun State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu, whose petition was among those rejected during the commission’s review of complaints relating to the final lists of candidates.

 

However, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, who is contesting the Gombe State governorship election on the platform of the PDP, has been cleared by INEC.

 

Court Order Prevents Gwarzo’s Inclusion

 

An INEC source disclosed that Gwarzo would have been included in the updated list of cleared candidates but for an interim order issued by the Federal High Court restraining the commission from publishing his name.

 

According to the source, the commission could not proceed with his clearance because of the subsisting court order, leaving his candidacy subject to the outcome of the legal proceedings.

 

“He would have scaled through, but unfortunately, there was an ex parte order from the Federal High Court barring INEC from publishing his name. That was the reason he was not cleared,” the source reportedly said.

 

The source added that Gwarzo’s case would remain unresolved until the legal dispute surrounding his nomination is determined.

 

Why INEC Rejected Ladi Adebutu’s Petition

 

Adebutu’s petition was reportedly rejected because his name was not included in the original list of candidates submitted to INEC by the PDP.

 

The commission’s source explained that the omission could not be corrected through the petition process because the party had not initially submitted his name as its candidate.

 

“His petition was rejected because his name was not included in the list of candidates originally submitted to INEC by the PDP,” the source said.

 

Meanwhile, Pantami’s clearance means he has been included among the candidates approved to contest the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.

 

INEC Upholds 66 Petitions, Rejects 64

 

In a statement issued on Thursday night, INEC announced that it had upheld 66 petitions challenging the final lists of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates while rejecting 64 others.

 

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The statement, signed by the Chairman of the commission’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the petitions followed the publication of the final candidates’ lists on October 10, 2026.

 

The complaints involved several issues, including the omission of political parties, the inclusion of candidates whose names were allegedly absent from their parties’ membership registers and cases of multiple nominations.

 

Haruna explained that the commission reviewed the complaints alongside relevant records and applicable legal provisions before arriving at its decisions.

 

He said some complaints were found to have merit, leading to the approval of affected candidates and political parties, while others were rejected for failing to meet the required legal standards.

 

INEC also confirmed that it had approved the removal of candidates whose nominations were found to be inconsistent with electoral requirements.

 

Breakdown of Governorship and Assembly Petitions

 

According to the commission, it received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states concerning governorship elections.

 

Of the 69 petitions, 41 were upheld, while 28 were rejected.

 

For the State Houses of Assembly elections, INEC received 61 petitions from 11 political parties across 11 states. Twenty-five were successful, while 36 were rejected.

 

The commission explained that decisions concerning state assembly candidates were based on the specific complaints received and assessed in accordance with the law and its established criteria.

 

INEC further stated that the names of affected candidates, political parties and states would be reflected in an updated list to be published on its official website.

 

Electoral Act Provisions Behind the Dispute

 

The latest review follows an earlier clarification issued by INEC on October 13, 2026, after concerns emerged over the omission of several candidates from the published lists.

 

At the time, the commission attributed some of the omissions to alleged violations of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly provisions requiring political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC.

 

The commission also referenced a September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgment affirming the constitutionality of Section 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act, which makes the submission of party membership registers mandatory.

 

The provision has become a significant factor in the disputes surrounding the eligibility and nomination of several candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

 

With INEC preparing to publish an updated list, attention will now turn to the affected candidates and political parties, particularly those whose nominations remain tied to ongoing court proceedings.

 

The commission has reiterated its commitment to transparency and electoral credibility, maintaining that all petitions were considered based on available records and applicable legal provisions.