Guber poll: PDP, SDP tackle INEC, raise alarm over omission of candidates in Ogun, Gombe, Oyo

• Adebutu, APC at loggerheads, Pantami urges calm • SDP to engage electoral body over candidates’ omission in Oyo, candidate urges calm

• EX-IGP emerges party’s candidate in Nasarawa • Hamzat, 15 others emerge in Lagos

• NDC blames technical error for omission in Kano • 12 candidates emerge in Benue

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 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 leaving the names of the candidates of other 13 political parties on the list.

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

INEC did not immediately give any official explanations for its action. However, sources said while Pantami’s case might be linked to litigations, its 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 out 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.

“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,” the statement added.

Torn apart by a lingering leadership crisis, INEC recognises the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led NWC of the PDP, 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 Ianimu Turaki, is still in court seeking to be recognised by INEC.

SDP to engage INEC

The national leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SP) on Sunday declared that the party had commenced the process of activating the corrective measures, exploring the 14-day window provision of the Electoral Act 2026 to correct errors that were noted in the publication in which the names of its candidates in Oyo, Bauchi Benue and Sokoto States were missing.

Speaking during an interview with Nigerian Tribune in Abuja, the spokesperson of the party, Araba Rufus Ayenigba lamented that the SDP governorship candidates for four states were omitted in Benue, Oyo, Bauchi, and Sokoto and also in a number of state constituencies the candidates’ names were missing.

Ayenigba disclosed that the affected candidates have been assured that the error was being addressed with the deserved seriousness, and that there were high assurances that the corrections would be effected and promptly corrected by the Commission.

According to him, “affected SDP candidates are hereby enjoined to assure their supporters that the issues are being addressed and that we will get the desired corrections made.”

Stop blame game, face your failure -Ogun APC to Adebutu, PDP

Meanwhile, the APC in Ogun State has called on the PDP and Honourable Adebutu, to face their failure and stop the blame game on the party.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, Ogun State APC Campaign Council, Chief Kayode Odunaro, made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, on Sunday.

Odunaro stated that the PDP should cut INEC a slack in its effort to deliver a credible election following rule of law and clearly stated provisions of the Electoral Law of the nation.

Honourable Adebutu, had earlier stated that he had completed his digital registration with the PDP within the stipulated period, expressing concern over the omission of his name from the list.

Adebutu, in a statement issued on Sunday, added that his membership card had been printed and verified, while the necessary documents were submitted to INEC on time.

He insisted that he remains the party’s duly nominated candidate, and maintained that he had neither defected from the PDP nor abandoned his commitment to the party.

He explained that the governorship primary that produced him as the PDP candidate was conducted in the presence of INEC officials, who attended as observers, while relevant documents were presented for verification and certification.

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Adebutu and the PDP, also in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adebayo, however, expressed concern over what he described as undue pressure allegedly mounted on INEC by the APC, arguing that the omission raised questions, particularly as other PDP candidates contesting legislative seats had reportedly appeared on the published lists.

Ex-IGP Adamu enlisted as Nasarawa SDP governorship candidate

Former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu (rtd.), has been confirmed as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Nasarawa State on the INEC list.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Digital Media and Communications of the Adamu Campaign Organisation, Otaru Douglas.

According to the campaign organisation, the inclusion of Adamus name in the final list published by INEC has put an end to speculations and controversies over who is the authentic governorship candidate of the SDP in the state.

Hamzat, Rhodes-Vivour, 15 others make Lagos list

In Lagos, INEC released the names of 17 governorship candidates featuring the incumbent Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) flag bearer, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

Also listed are candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), PDP and 12 other political parties.

Other candidates on the list are Robert Otitoloju Sowore of the Accord; Kamarudeen Salawu of the Action Alliance; Oluwadamola Adesoga Sol-Nuyi of the African Action Congress; Bolaji Nasir Adewale of the Action Democratic Party; Adeoye Adelaja of the Allied Peoples Movement; Abiola Adeyemi of the Action Peoples Party; and Olurotimi Oluwapamil-erui Odunaike of the Labour Party.

The list also features Funso Doherty of the NDC; Akinola Obadia of the National Democratic Party; Taiwo Onifade Ademoyegun of the New Nigeria Peoples Party; Joseph Adeola Onigbokun of the National Rescue Movement; Adedeji Doherty of the PDP; Olaniyi Olutemi of the Social Democratic Party; Elijah Temiyope Taiwo of the Young Progressives Party; and Peter Helen Ojotule of the Zenith Labour Party.

Oyo SDP guber hopeful urges calm

The governorship hopeful of the SDP in Oyo State, Chief Olusegun Agboola, attributed the omission of his name from the list of candidates to a clerical error.

Agboola assured party members and supporters that efforts were ongoing to correct the omission, expressing confidence that the development would not affect his participation in the 2027 governorship election.

The SDP candidate acknowledged that the omission could affect the morale of party members and supporters but maintained that it would not shake his confidence or determination to contest the election.

“It is a minor error with a big impact on morale, but not one that will knock our confidence,” he said.

He urged party members and supporters across Oyo State not to be discouraged or confused by the absence of his name from the INEC list, insisting that the party remained firmly in the governorship race.

According to him, the issue is being addressed, and he is optimistic that the necessary corrections will be made.

“We are still in the race,” Agboola declared.

NDC blames technical error for Gwarzo’s absence on list

The NDC also attributed the omission of its Kano State governorship candidate, Comrade Abdussalam Gwarzo, from the list to a technical error.

The party’s Public Relations Officer, Yusif Fasaha, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Kano, following the publication of the list on Saturday.

Fasaha said the party had contacted INEC over the omission and was assured that the issue would be resolved.

12 Benue candidates make list

At least 12 governorship candidates made the INEC list in Benue State.

The list, however, shows that the SDP candidate, Professor Sebastine Hon, SAN was missing on the list.

The governorship candidates that made the list are; Hembe Herman (ADC), Nyibiam Kwaghshir (ADP), Hyacinth Alia (APC), Adagba Iorhen of APM, Ujah Mercy of APP, Ocheneh Dominic, DLA, Byuan Mathias of LP and Professor Terhemba Shija of NDC.

Others are, Wombo Terese, NRN, Michael Aondoakaa SAN of PDP, Chenge Ada of PRP and Ogbe Ocheme of ZLP.

Meanwhile, the state chairman of SDP, Idoko Itodo who spoke to our correspondent on Sunday explained that the omission of the party’s candidate on INEC list might be ‘an error’.

100 candidates jostle for nine NASS seats in Kwara

Meanwhile, a total number of 100 National Assembly candidates are registered by INEC to contest for seats in both the Senate and House of Representatives in Kwara State.

In a final list of Senate and House of Representatives candidates signed by the secretary of the INEC, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, which was made available in Ilorin, the state capital, a total number of 35 senatorial candidates jostling for three available Senate seats.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that there are 11 candidates each from Kwara North and South districts and 13 candidates from Kwara Central district.

Among the leading senatorial candidates are the incumbent governor of the state, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who is contesting under the ruling APC and the incumbent holder of the office, Senator Saliu Mustapha, formerly of the APC and now contesting under the opposition PDP.

The 13 political parties contesting in the Kwara senatorial elections are A, AA, ADP, APP, ADC, APC, APM, LP, NRM, NNDP, NDC, PDP, and the SDP.

Nigerian Tribune also gathered that seven of the senatorial candidates are females: They are Temako Naomi of the ADP, Ibrahim Ramat of the APP, Owolabi Felicia of the APM, all from Kwara North.

Others are Adesola Kehinde of the AA, Abdulahi Risikat Motunrayo of the ADC and Abdulkareem-Adisa Maryam Ayoola-Fadekemi of the LP, all from the Kwara Central.

Anifowose Grace of the SDP from the Kwara South completes the female senatorial candidates in the state.

The oldest among the Kwara senatorial candidates is 72-year-old Iyiola Oyedepo of the ADC, while the youngest is the 36-year-old Ibrahim Ramat of the APP.

A total number of 65 candidates from 12 different political parties are contesting for the six slots of the House of Representatives seat in the Baruten/Kaiama (9), Edu/Moro/Pategi (12), Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke Ero (9), Ilorin East/Ilorin South (12), Ilorin West/Asa (11) Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun (12) federal constituencies.