INEC Finalizes 2027 Gubernatorial Exclusions Amid Party Noncompliance

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed that all candidates absent from the Saturday-released final list will remain excluded from the 2027 gubernatorial elections. This decision follows statutory timelines for the final register, which serves as the authoritative roster of cleared contenders.

Frontline figures like former communications minister Isa Ali Pantami , PDP’s Gombe State candidate, and Ladi Adebutu , PDP’s Ogun State flagbearer, were entirely omitted from the register. Similarly, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo , NDC’s Kano State governorship candidate, and Danjuma Laah , NDC’s Kaduna State candidate, were excluded.

INEC further extended exclusions to Bauchi State, removing four major opposition party candidates from the official ballot. The commission attributed this omission to political parties’ failure to meet statutory compliance requirements, as confirmed during a recent Abuja meeting.