In response to some of its candidates being left off of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates for the 2027 election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has promised to take action.
This was revealed in a statement on Sunday by Jungudo Mohammed, the spokesperson for the PDP faction that supports Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
He clarified that the PDP was talking with INEC about the development in compliance with the law and established electoral guidelines, and that more information would be released to the public in due course.
Mohammed also urged the PDP’s impacted candidates, members, and supporters to maintain composure and abstain from any acts or remarks that might jeopardize the ongoing negotiations with the Commission.
“The PDP therefore assures all concerned that it is treating this development with the utmost seriousness it deserves and will communicate further developments as appropriate. The Party is committed to ensuring that all legitimate concerns are properly addressed with the Commission,” the statement reads.
Isa Pantami of Gombe State and Ladi Adebutu of Ogun are two PDP candidates who were left off of INEC’s final list.
In the meantime, INEC has revealed that it is examining the recent ruling by the Supreme Court regarding certain provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 that may have an impact on certain candidates’ eligibility prior to the general elections in 2027.
Professor Joash Amupitan, the electoral umpire’s chairman, disclosed the position on Tuesday during a press conference on the commission’s 2027 election preparations.
The Supreme Court had previously affirmed the validity of sections 77 and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026 (as amended) on eligibility to contest in primary elections based on appeals by the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
We’re still awaiting INEC’s response regarding the candidates missing from its list. We’ll share further updates as soon as the commission provides clarification.
