The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of gubernatorial candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The electoral umpire published the list, signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, on its website on Saturday.
However, notable political bigwigs who are vying for the governorship contest in their respective states are missing from the list.
Among the prominent figures INEC excluded from the final list are Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Ladi Adebutu and Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.
While Pantami and Adebutu are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates for Gombe and Ogun State, respectively, Gwarzo is the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in Kano State.
The final list for Ogun State comprises 13 governorship candidates, while that of Gombe State has 16 candidates, but neither document includes a PDP candidate. The list for Kano State consists of 11 candidates, but the NDC candidate is noticeably absent. The NDC vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is from Kano.
Adebutu and his deputy are absent from the Ogun list, which names Solomon Adeola as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, with Kudirat Balogun as his running mate. In Gombe, the list identifies Jamil Gwamna as the APC governorship candidate, with Balah Adams as his running mate. For Kano, the roster listed the incumbent governor of the state, Abba Yusuf Kabir, as the APC candidate.
The lists contain candidates’ names, political parties, running mates, ages, genders, qualifications and, where applicable, remarks.
The absence of Adebutu and Pantami from the lists comes amid political developments surrounding the PDP governorship tickets in the two states. However, no one can say at the moment why the governor is not on the final list for Kano.
Reacting to his exclusion from the final list, Pantami assured his supporters that work has begun to address the omission, describing it as a temporary setback in the electoral process.
In a statement signed by Professor Suleiman Mohammed Gombe and shared on Pantami’s social media page, he said the development has drawn concern among supporters of the PDP and the Pantamiyya Movement across Gombe and beyond.
He implored his supporters to remain calm and hopeful, insisting that the omission was not a final determination of the matter.
“We are aware of the people working behind the scenes to frustrate good and responsible leadership in Gombe State,” the statement said.
According to the camp, its legal and liaison teams are engaging with relevant organs of the PDP and INEC to secure compliance with the court order and ensure that the omission is corrected within the period allowed by law.
The statement expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved, while urging supporters to continue mobilisation and remain committed to what it described as the movement’s ideology of service to humanity.
