The Campaign for Democracy has questioned the Independent National Electoral Commission’s impartiality after omitting some governorship candidates from its final list for the 2027 elections.
It also demanded an investigation into allegations that names were removed after their submission.
The pro-democracy group expressed particular concern over the exclusion of the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, and his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, after alleged boasts by some All Progressives Congress members and supporters that Adebutu would not make the final list.
In a statement signed by its President, Ifeanyi Odili, and obtained by The PUNCH on Wednesday, the group said the omissions raised questions about INEC’s independence, transparency and preparedness to conduct credible and inclusive elections in 2027.
It also cited the omission of the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State, Isa Pantami, noting that the affected candidates had appeared on an earlier list published by the commission on August 29, 2026.
CD said the absence of immediate explanations for the omissions, followed by what it described as a belated clarification from INEC, had heightened public anxiety and weakened confidence in the electoral process.
“The timing of the omissions was even more disturbing, and this was where we became concerned and alarmed.
“A particular instance was that of Ogun State where the state’s citizens had witnessed repeated claims and apparent triumphalism by elements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their supporters that the PDP governorship candidate would be disqualified from participating in the forthcoming election.
“As if to validate that boast, INEC published a list that excluded both PDP candidates without stating the reason for their omission,” the statement said.
The group added that the sequence of events raised questions that required answers from the electoral umpire.
“This troubling sequence of events raises legitimate questions about the independence and impartiality of the commission that Nigerians cannot afford to ignore,” it said.
CD said the affected candidates emerged from party primaries monitored by INEC and questioned how their names could disappear from the final list without an immediate explanation.
It demanded an investigation into allegations circulating in the public domain that some candidates’ names had been electronically removed after they were duly submitted.
The group warned INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), against allowing political interests to influence the electoral process, insisting that the commission must not only act independently but must also be seen to do so.
“Under your leadership, Mr Chairman, INEC bears an enormous responsibility to demonstrate impartiality, transparency, and strict adherence to the law.
“Unfortunately, this development has raised serious doubts about the Commission’s preparedness to conduct a credible, transparent, and inclusive election in 2027,” the statement said.
CD said the commission’s clarification, issued three days after the controversy emerged, came too late to prevent uncertainty in the affected states.
It warned that the situation could have escalated into violence before the clarification, describing the delay as inexcusable.
The group, formed in 1991, said it would mobilise citizens and other pro-democracy organisations for lawful civic action if it believed political pluralism and participation were under threat.
It maintained that elections belonged to Nigerians and should not be shaped by the administrative discretion of any political party, individual or governing interest.
“No institution should take actions that create the impression that opposition participation can be determined by administrative discretion without transparent, constitutional justification and due process,” the statement added.