INEC Excludes Pantami, Adebutu From 2027 Governorship List

• INEC has excluded Pantami and Adebutu from the final governorship candidates' list for the 2027 elections.
• Chinda, another aspirant, was cleared by INEC for the same list.
• These exclusions stem from a Supreme Court judgment that restored provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
• The restored provisions mandate that only party members whose names appear on registers submitted to INEC within the statutory period can participate in primaries.
• The ruling emphasizes strict adherence to electoral law regarding party membership registers for candidate eligibility.

Lawyers advising political parties or aspirants must ensure strict compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 provisions regarding the submission of membership registers to INEC within statutory periods, as non-compliance, reinforced by this Supreme Court judgment, is a clear ground for candidate disqualification from primary elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released its definitive list of governorship candidates for the 2027 election cycle, notably excluding two prominent figures, Pantami and Adebutu. This decision by INEC to exclude Pantami and Adebutu from the final governorship candidates' list for 2027 underscores a rigorous application of electoral regulations, impacting the political landscape significantly.

Conversely, another aspirant, Chinda, successfully secured a place on the same final list. The differential outcomes for these individuals highlight the stringent criteria now being enforced by the electoral body, setting a clear precedent for future electoral contests. The commission's actions are a direct consequence of recent judicial pronouncements that reinforce specific aspects of Nigeria's electoral framework.

The exclusions of Pantami and Adebutu are directly attributable to a pivotal Supreme Court judgment. This ruling effectively reinstated critical provisions within the Electoral Act 2026, which govern participation in party primary elections. The judgment clarified that only individuals whose names are officially recorded in the membership registers submitted to INEC within the stipulated statutory timeframe are eligible to contest in party primaries.

This Supreme Court judgment on the Electoral Act 2026 has far-reaching implications, emphasizing the necessity for political parties and their aspirants to adhere strictly to procedural requirements. The restoration of these provisions means that any candidate not listed in the party primaries membership register, as duly submitted to INEC, faces an automatic disqualification from the primary process, irrespective of their political standing or popularity. This legal reinforcement aims to ensure transparency and proper internal party democracy.

The recent actions by INEC, particularly the exclusion of Pantami and Adebutu for the 2027 governorship race, serve as a stark reminder of the evolving legal landscape governing Nigeria election law 2027. This development signals a heightened commitment to enforcing the letter of the law, particularly concerning party internal processes and candidate eligibility. Political parties and aspiring candidates are now compelled to meticulously review their compliance with all aspects of the Electoral Act 2026.

This ruling and its subsequent enforcement by INEC underscore the critical importance of administrative diligence, especially regarding the submission of membership registers. Lawyers advising political parties or aspirants must ensure strict compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 provisions regarding the submission of membership registers to INEC within statutory periods, as non-compliance, reinforced by this Supreme Court judgment, is a clear ground for candidate disqualification from primary elections. The Pantami Adebutu governorship exclusion exemplifies the tangible consequences of failing to meet these foundational legal requirements.

Lawyers advising political parties or aspirants must ensure strict compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 provisions regarding the submission of membership registers to INEC within statutory periods, as non-compliance, reinforced by this Supreme Court judgment, is a clear ground for candidate disqualification from primary elections.

Source: Original reporting via Premium Times Nigeria