The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has opened discussions with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the exclusion of some of its governorship candidates from the commission’s final list for the 2027 elections.
The affected candidates include Isa Pantami in Gombe State and Ladi Adebutu in Ogun State.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by Jungudo Mohammed, spokesperson for the PDP faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Mohammed said the party was concerned about the omissions and had begun engaging INEC to establish the circumstances surrounding the exclusion of the candidates.
He explained that the party was seeking a resolution in line with existing laws and electoral guidelines, assuring affected candidates and members that the matter was receiving serious attention.
The PDP spokesperson urged the affected aspirants, party members and supporters to remain calm while discussions with the electoral commission continued.
He added that the party would provide further updates as developments emerged, stressing that legitimate concerns raised by those affected would be addressed through the ongoing engagement.
The controversy comes amid legal developments surrounding political party membership registers and the nomination of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
On September 24, the Supreme Court upheld an appeal 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, a seven-member panel held that the provisions, which had been voided by the Court of Appeal in July, were not inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.
Section 77(5) 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) prohibits political parties from using a different membership register for their primaries, congresses and conventions, while Section 77(7) states that a party that fails to submit its register within the prescribed period cannot field a candidate in the election.
INEC had earlier indicated that it would determine the implications of the Supreme Court judgment for the nomination of candidates ahead of the 2027 polls.
The PDP’s engagement with the commission is expected to address the concerns surrounding the omitted candidates, although the party has yet to announce a final resolution of the matter.
