2027 Guber Race: Pantami, Adebutu out, Chinda, Adamu in
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released its final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, with the omission of several prominent politicians and the inclusion of other heavyweight contenders reshaping the political landscape ahead of the polls.
Among the most notable omissions are former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, who sought the governorship of Gombe State; former Kano State Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC); and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu.
In contrast, former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu has made the list of governorship candidates in Nasarawa State, while Kingsley Chinda is among the prominent names contesting the Rivers State governorship under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The developments have raised questions about the political and legal circumstances surrounding some of the omissions, particularly as parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
Pantami’s exclusion deepens Gombe political drama
Pantami’s absence from the final list is one of the most consequential developments in the Gombe governorship race, given his profile as a former federal minister and his efforts to secure the state’s top political office.
The former minister initially sought the APC ticket but left the party after Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna emerged as its candidate. Pantami subsequently joined the PDP and emerged as its governorship flag bearer after a fresh primary election.
However, the legal challenges surrounding his nomination appear to have complicated his candidacy. A Federal High Court in Gombe had earlier nullified his initial emergence, while a subsequent rerun produced another victory for him.
His name was nevertheless absent from the final list of 16 governorship candidates published by INEC, leaving Gwamna as the APC candidate and other contenders to battle for the state’s governorship seat.
The omission represents a significant setback for Pantami, whose political influence and national profile had made him one of the most closely watched aspirants in the state.
Gwarzo’s absence raises questions in Kano
Another major omission is Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the former Kano deputy governor who secured the NDC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
Gwarzo’s candidacy had been announced amid the political realignment involving former Kano governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, who moved to the NDC after leaving the African Democratic Congress.
His reported absence from the final list would be a setback for the party’s efforts to challenge incumbent Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who is seeking re-election under the APC.
Before the final list, Gwarzo had been identified as the NDC candidate alongside Mohammed Raji of the Labour Party and Muhammad Bello Dalhatu of the PDP.
The status of Gwarzo’s nomination is therefore an important issue for the NDC, particularly in a state where Kwankwaso’s political machinery has traditionally played a significant role in electoral contests.
Adebutu’s omission shakes Ogun PDP
In Ogun State, the absence of Ladi Adebutu, the PDP governorship candidate, is another major development.
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Adebutu had continued his political engagements ahead of the election, but INEC’s final list reportedly contains 13 candidates without his name or that of his running mate.
The omission could complicate the PDP’s preparations in a state where the party hopes to challenge the APC’s candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
Other candidates on the list include Jimi Lawal of the ADC, alongside contenders from several smaller parties.
INEC has not publicly established, in the reports available, the specific reason for Adebutu’s exclusion. The development should therefore not be interpreted as a definitive ruling on the merits of his candidacy without further clarification from the commission or the party.
The Electoral Act provides a procedure for political parties to formally notify INEC when a nominated candidate’s name is missing from the published list.
Ex-IGP Mohammed Adamu returns to Nasarawa contest
In Nasarawa State, former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu is seeking to translate his political ambition into a governorship victory under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Adamu’s candidacy has been marked by uncertainty. INEC initially listed Musa Angbazo as the SDP candidate, prompting the former police chief’s campaign organisation to challenge the omission.
The party subsequently conducted a replacement primary after Angbazo withdrew, declaring Adamu its candidate.
The development placed Adamu back in contention against prominent candidates, including Ahmed Aliyu Wadada of the APC, Emmanuel David Ombugadu of the PDP and Nuhu Angbazo of the ADC.
His appearance on the candidate list would represent an important political comeback after he failed to secure the APC ticket and moved to the SDP.
Chinda’s APC ticket puts Rivers in focus
Rivers State is another battleground attracting national attention, with Kingsley Chinda among the prominent names on the APC governorship ticket.
Chinda emerged as the APC candidate after Governor Siminalayi Fubara withdrew from the party’s primary, citing the need to protect peace and stability in the state.
His emergence comes against the backdrop of the prolonged political crisis involving Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The Rivers contest is expected to attract considerable attention because of the influence of political heavyweights in the state and the struggle for control of its political structure.
Chinda’s candidacy places the APC in a position to contest the governorship against candidates from other parties, including those listed under the ADC and NDC.
Mustapha Saliu makes Kwara Central Senate list
While some prominent politicians are missing from the list, others have secured their places in the contest for the National Assembly.
In Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha of the PDP is listed among the candidates for the senatorial seat, setting up a contest involving prominent political figures.
The list also features Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of the APC, who is among the candidates for the district’s Senate seat.
Other contenders include candidates from the ADC, NDC and several smaller parties, making the district one of the senatorial races to watch in the state.
The contest is significant because of the political influence of the candidates and the implications for representation in the 10th Senate.
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