The Independent National Electoral Commission has officially published a revised final list of governorship contenders for the upcoming electoral cycle, featuring the inclusion of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, as the Peoples Democratic Party standard-bearer for Gombe State.
According to the electoral body, this latest revision follows a thorough review of recent court rulings alongside documentation submitted by various political platforms. While Pantami successfully met all statutory and legal prerequisites to secure his spot on the ballot, the candidacy of the National Democratic Congress hopeful for Kano State, Gwarzo, remains excluded.
Why is the Kano candidate still omitted?
lectoral authorities explained that Gwarzo's exclusion stems strictly from an active, subsisting judicial directive. The commission noted that because the legal dispute surrounding the Kano candidacy is still before the courts, the electoral body is legally bound to withhold placement until the restraining order is formally discharged.
"INEC updates final governorship list: Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, PDP, now included for Gombe, Kano NDC's Gwarzo still omitted under court order," the commission stated in an official release.
What are the next steps for voters?
The electoral commission has confirmed that the comprehensive, updated final roster of candidates will be made accessible to the public via its official web portal as well as across all state-level administrative offices nationwide for public scrutiny ahead of the polls.