By Ayodele Oni
Just few days after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, put on hold the clearance of the governorship candidate of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, for Kano State, Gwarzo, for 2027 election, the commission has confirmed.his status.
In its latest list which was released, Gwarzo name was omitted with the commission citing a subsisting court order.
In the updated list, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has been included as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate for Gombe State.
INEC, in a statement, explained that the update was done after reviewing court judgments and party submissions.
The commission noted that while Pantami’s inclusion was approved following compliance with all legal requirements, the case of the Kano NDC candidate remains under litigation and therefore cannot be included until the court order is vacated.
“INEC updates final governorship list: Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, PDP, now included for Gombe, Kano NDC’s Gwarzo still omitted under court order,” INEC said in its update.
The commission said the final list will be published on its website and at all its state offices.
After its meeting in Abuja on Thursday, a source at the commission disclosed that the commission was still awaiting the final figures from its legal department, which was working on the statement to be issued on the decisions.
On Pantami and Gwarzo, the source said the commission has no objection to their candidacies but noted that the pending court cases could affect their eligibility.
“Yes, Pantami has been cleared,” the source said when asked about the PDP candidate in Gombe State.
On Gwarzo, the source said his clearance remained subject to the outcome of the litigation involving his candidacy.
“Because of the court case, the court may rule otherwise. So his approval is subject to whatever the court finally decide.”
The official added that the commission has no issues with either candidate contesting the election, pending the resolution of the legal matters.
“But we have no issues with their contesting as candidates,” the source said.
The source confirmed that Ogun state Adebutu’s petition was unsuccessful.
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