PDP engages INEC over exclusion of candidates from 2027 election lists
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is engaging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the exclusion of some of its candidates from the final lists for the 2027 elections.
Jungudo Mohammed, spokesperson for the PDP faction backed by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
The development followed the publication of INEC’s final lists of governorship candidates on Saturday, which excluded some PDP aspirants, including Isa Pantami of Gombe State and Ladi Adebutu of Ogun State.
Mohammed said the party was concerned about the omissions and was working with the electoral commission to resolve the issues in line with the law and established electoral guidelines.
“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.
He urged affected candidates, party members and supporters to remain calm and avoid actions or statements that could undermine the ongoing discussions with INEC.
The development comes amid uncertainty over the implications of a September 24 Supreme Court judgment on the nomination of candidates for the 2027 elections.
INEC had said it would determine the implications of the judgment on the nomination process.
A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court, in its ruling, upheld an appeal filed by INEC and restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Adamu Jauro, the court held that the provisions, which the Court of Appeal had voided in July, were not inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.
Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act provides that only members whose names appear in a political party’s membership register submitted to INEC at least 21 days before a primary, congress or convention can participate in the exercise.
Section 77(6) stipulates that political parties must use only the membership register submitted to the electoral commission for their primaries, congresses and conventions.
Under Section 77(7), a political party that fails to submit its membership register within the stipulated period is barred from fielding candidates for the election.
The PDP said it would provide further updates as discussions with INEC progress.
