Has Kano’s Aminu Gwarzo, Gombe’s Pantami Case Been Resolved?

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) mentioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acknowledged receipt of its complaints over the omission of its candidate’s identify, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, within the record of candidates for Kano State governorship election, however has but to concern a last response.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has filed an affidavit looking for the reinstatement of Isa Pantami’s identify on the Gombe governorship candidate record.

Besides, Gwarzo and Pantami, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate in Oyo, Adebiyi Adedapo, and Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidates in Oyo and Benue, have additionally complained in regards to the omission of their names.

The controversy surrounding the exclusion of NDC’s Gwarzo, and PDP’s Pantami, and others stays unresolved after the deadline set by the INEC for submission of complaints expired on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

Media studies as of Sunday, October 25, indicated that the fee had but to announce whether or not it could amend the record of candidates it revealed. Consequently, the standing of Gwarzo’s and Pantami’s candidacies remained unsure forward of the governorship elections scheduled for February 6, 2027.

NDC Files Complaint however Awaits Final Response

The NDC mentioned it had written to INEC looking for a assessment of the exclusion of Gwarzo and his operating mate, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the record of Kano governorship candidates.

The occasion’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, instructed newsmen that the fee had acquired and acknowledged the occasion’s criticism letters however had not issued a last response by the point the deadline expired.

The NDC Chairman in Kano State, Hussaini Mairiga, additionally mentioned the occasion submitted its criticism by its nationwide management in keeping with the process outlined by the fee.

Mairiga maintained that Gwarzo was a duly registered member of the occasion, stating that he registered on May 5, 2026. He mentioned the occasion hoped {that a} assessment of its membership registration information would set up the candidate’s eligibility.

However, the accessible studies didn’t verify that INEC had upheld the NDC’s criticism or restored the names of its candidates to the revealed record.

PDP Takes Legal Action over Pantami’s Exclusion

In Gombe State, the PDP challenged Pantami’s exclusion from the governorship candidate record, insisting that it had fulfilled the necessities for nominating him.

Pantami emerged because the occasion’s candidate after a contemporary major election held on September 29, 2026, following a court docket order. His identify appeared on INEC’s provisional record revealed on August 29 however was absent from the ultimate record launched on October 10.

LEADERSHIP studies indicated that the PDP filed an affidavit on the Federal High Court registry in Abuja on October 15, difficult the exclusion of Pantami and its governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu. The occasion requested the fee to revive their names to the record.

Despite the authorized step, studies revealed after the deadline didn’t set up that INEC had granted the PDP’s request or reinstated Pantami.

INEC’s Official Position

In an announcement issued on October 13, 2026, INEC mentioned the exclusion of sure political events and their candidates from the ultimate record adopted the Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, within the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party.

The fee mentioned the Supreme Court upheld Sections 77(5) to 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026, which require political events to submit their membership registers inside the stipulated interval to allow them to conduct legitimate occasion primaries.

INEC mentioned its timetable offered for the submission of membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026. It added that events that failed to fulfill the requirement weren’t eligible to appoint candidates.

The fee additionally cited Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which it mentioned permits political events that consider their candidates had been wrongly excluded to inform it inside 14 days of the publication of the candidate record. INEC set October 24 because the deadline for submitting such complaints.

However, the fee’s assertion outlined its basic place on membership registration necessities and the exclusion of candidates. It didn’t specify its selections on the NDC’s criticism regarding Gwarzo or the PDP’s criticism regarding Pantami.

Were All the Required Documents Submitted?

Available studies confirmed that the NDC despatched criticism letters and that INEC acknowledged receiving them. However, there was no impartial affirmation that the occasion had submitted each doc required by legislation or that the fee had accepted its criticism.

Regarding the PDP, information studies indicated that the occasion filed an affidavit looking for the reinstatement of Pantami and Adebutu. It remained unclear whether or not the motion had resulted within the adjustments the occasion was looking for.

What Happens Next?

With the October 24 deadline now expired, the matter stays unsure. The NDC has mentioned it could pursue authorized choices if the fee fails to resolve its criticism, whereas the PDP has already taken authorized motion over the exclusion of a few of its candidates.

As of the newest studies accessible, there was no INEC announcement confirming that Gwarzo or Pantami had been restored to the ultimate candidate record.

The matter subsequently can’t be thought-about resolved till the fee declares a particular choice or publishes a revised record exhibiting the adjustments.