The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) omitted key governorship candidates from its final list for the 2027 elections, sparking concerns over electoral fairness, with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) alleging political bias.
CDA News Nigeria reports that INEC released the final list on October 10, excluding the NDC’s Kano State candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, and the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Gombe State candidate, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, alongside their running mates.
The NDC has threatened legal action to secure Gwarzo’s inclusion, with National Publicity Secretary Osa Director stating the party would “use every available legal means” to restore his name. The party’s Kano chapter, however, attributed the omission to a “technical error,” expressing confidence it would be resolved.
Pantami, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, was omitted despite winning a court-ordered fresh PDP primary on September 29. His camp described the setback as a “temporary challenge” caused by political opponents and urged supporters to remain calm.
INEC has attributed some omissions to parties’ failure to meet legal requirements for submitting membership registers and conducting primaries, citing a Supreme Court judgment on the Electoral Act 2026. The NDC has since issued a 72-hour ultimatum for INEC to include five of its omitted candidates nationwide.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that civil society organisations have urged INEC to explain the circumstances and ensure fair application of electoral rules.
CDA News Nigeria
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