The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has granted conditional approval for Isa Ali Pantami and Abdulsalam Gwarzo to participate in the upcoming 2027 general elections. This decision, however, is subject to the resolution of ongoing court cases that may impact their eligibility.

During a review meeting held on Thursday, INEC addressed 69 petitions from political parties regarding candidates whose names were omitted from the official candidate lists. Out of these petitions, approximately 36 were successful, while the rest were rejected. A source within the commission indicated that the legal department is finalizing the details and will issue an official statement soon.

Pantami, a former Minister of Communications, and Gwarzo, representing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State, received the green light to contest, although their candidacies remain contingent on the outcomes of pending legal disputes. Gwarzo has initiated a court case, filed on October 20, 2026, challenging his exclusion from the governorship candidate list and seeking a court declaration that his omission, along with that of his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, was unlawful.

The INEC source confirmed that there were no objections to either Pantami or Gwarzo's candidacies but stressed that the ongoing litigation could still affect their status. A court hearing regarding Pantami's eligibility is scheduled for Friday, further complicating the situation.

In a contrasting outcome, Ladi Adebutu, the governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, was unsuccessful in his attempt to reverse his exclusion from the candidate list. Adebutu argued that he remained a registered member of the PDP and had fulfilled all necessary membership requirements. However, INEC was not convinced by his arguments and ultimately rejected his petition.

The commission had previously indicated that the omissions were due to political parties failing to adhere to Section 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act, which mandates the submission of membership registers. This position is supported by a Supreme Court ruling from September 24, 2026, which upheld the constitutionality of these provisions.

As the political landscape shifts in anticipation of the 2027 elections, INEC is expected to release a formal statement detailing the outcomes of the recent meeting and the decisions regarding the various petitions.

In related news, the NDC has been experiencing a surge in support, with notable defections from the All Progressives Congress (APC) reported recently. The NDC's vice presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, welcomed new members at a gathering in Kano, signaling a growing momentum for the party ahead of the elections.