PDP tackles INEC over omission of Ogun, Gombe guber candidates

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has admitted being taken aback by the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to axe the names of its governorship candidates in Ogun and Gombe states from the final list of contestants for the 2027 polls.

The names of the party’s Ogun State candidate, Mr Ladi Adebutu, and his running mate, Mr Yemi Sowunmi-Gbadebo, were conspicuously missing from the list released by INEC on Saturday, while the names of the candidates of 13 other political parties were left on the list.

In Gombe State, the name of Professor Isa Ali Pantami, the governorship candidate, was also missing, raising concerns over the PDP’s participation in the poll next year in the affected states.

INEC did not immediately give any official explanation for its action. However, sources said that, while Pantami’s case might be linked to litigation, it was unclear what could have led to the omission of the Ogun candidate, Adebutu.

Reacting to the development on Sunday, the PDP disclosed that it had begun engaging INEC on the issue to find ways of resolving it.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has noted with concern the omission of some of its candidates from the final list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday.

“The party wishes to assure all affected candidates, members and supporters that it is already engaging with INEC to address the issues responsible for the omissions, with a view to securing an amicable resolution in accordance with the law and established electoral guidelines”, the National Publicity Secretary, Honourable Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, stated in Abuja on Sunday.

Mohammed, who noted that the party was treating the matter with all the seriousness it deserved, appealed to the affected candidates and party supporters to remain calm while it was being sorted out.

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He wrote further, “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.

“Consequently, the party calls on all affected candidates, members and supporters to remain calm, exercise patience and refrain from actions or statements capable of undermining the ongoing engagements with the Commission.”

Torn apart by a lingering leadership crisis, the PDP is represented before INEC by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led NWC, which INEC recognises and which filed candidates for the 2027 polls.

The NWC is also backed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, as the national leader.

A faction of the party’s leadership, the Interim National Working Committee (INWC), led by Dr Tanimu Turaki, is still in court seeking to be recognised by INEC.