The Campaign for Democracy (CD), a prominent Nigerian pro-democracy civil society organisation established in 1991, has raised serious concerns regarding the sudden omission of several key political party candidates from the final list for the 2027 general elections. The group specifically highlighted the exclusion of certain governorship candidates, warning the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against succumbing to political manipulation.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday and signed by Ifeanyi Odili, CD President Comrade the organisation noted that the affected names which included candidates cleared in an initial public release on August 29, 2026 were dropped without immediate explanations. The omissions specifically referenced the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, Isa Pantami, alongside the party’s Ogun State governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and his deputy, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo.
The pro-democracy coalition stressed that the developments in Ogun State caused profound anxiety among local citizens. Prior to the final publication, supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had openly boasted that the PDP governorship candidate would be disqualified. The subsequent publication omitting both the PDP flagbearer and his deputy appeared to validate those claims, triggering widespread public outcry.
CD criticised INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan, arguing that the electoral umpire’s belated explanations and delayed clarifications risked plunging the affected states into intractable political violence. The civil society body maintained that any institution managing democratic transitions must remain completely impartial, transparent, and bound by due process.
Read also: Layer3 backs Nigeria’s data sovereignty push with N1.5bn Infrastructure Investment
Emphasizing that elections belong to the Nigerian electorate rather than political parties or governing interests, the CD demanded a full investigation into allegations that names were electronically removed after formal submissions. The group vowed to mobilize citizens nationwide for lawful mass civic action should administrative discretion continue to threaten political pluralism and participatory democracy in Nigeria.
Athekame Kenneth is a politics, economy, and finance reporter whose work is anchored in sharp investigative storytelling. He brings analytical depth to every piece, drawing on a strong academic foundation that includes a degree in Economics, an MBA in International Trade, and a minor in Petroleum Economics from Lagos State University, Ojo. His reporting blends rigorous research with a keen eye for hidden truths, delivering stories that illuminate power, policy, and the forces shaping everyday lives.
