The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is engaging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resolve the omission of its governorship candidates in Ogun and Gombe states from the commission’s final list of contestants for the 2027 elections.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, October 11, a day after INEC published the list.
The affected candidates are Oladipupo Adebutu of Ogun State and Isa Ali Pantami of Gombe State. Their running mates were also reportedly excluded from the published list.
Mohammed said the party was concerned about the omissions but assured the affected candidates, members and supporters that efforts were underway to address the matter through engagement with the electoral commission.
He said the PDP was seeking an amicable resolution in accordance with electoral laws and established guidelines, adding that the party would provide further information as discussions progressed.
The party urged its candidates, members and supporters to remain calm and patient, warning against actions or public statements capable of undermining the ongoing engagement with INEC.
The dispute comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections, with candidate nomination and publication processes subject to statutory requirements.
Under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, a political party has 14 days after the publication of the relevant list to notify INEC in writing of a candidate’s omission, subject to the law’s prescribed requirements.
With the list reportedly published on October 10, 2026, the corresponding 14-day period would end on October 24, 2026.
The PDP said it was treating the matter seriously and remained committed to ensuring that the concerns of the affected candidates were properly addressed.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), with additional electoral timeline context.
