• ADC Chair urges ECOWAS to prevail on FG, INEC against poll crisis
• Come out and campaign, Obi challenges Tinubu
• APC set for presidential rally in Calabar despite Tinubu’s absence 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, to contest the 2027 elections, while rejecting a petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu.

The commission cleared Pantami, the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State, and Gwarzo, subject to the outcome of pending court cases, but rejected Adebutu’s request for a review of his exclusion from the list of candidates for next year’s election.

The commission received 69 petitions from political parties over candidates omitted from the lists for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. About 36 of the petitions were reportedly successful, while the others were unsuccessful. A senior INEC official, however, told The Guardian that the commission would issue an official statement on the matter.

The clearance of Pantami and Gwarzo comes amid legal challenges over their exclusion from INEC’s list of candidates for the 2027 elections. Gwarzo had approached the court to challenge the exclusion of himself and his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, from the list of governorship candidates in Kano State.

Pantami’s candidacy has also been the subject of litigation, with the outcome of the court proceedings expected to affect the final determination of his eligibility. INEC’s omission of some candidates was reportedly linked to alleged non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 requiring political parties to submit their membership registers.

MEANWHILE, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to prevail on the Federal Government and INEC against actions that could trigger a crisis over the 2027 general elections.

Mark made the appeal in Abuja on Thursday when he received an ECOWAS delegation on a pre-election fact-finding mission, stressing that the credibility of Nigeria’s elections was critical to peace and stability across West Africa.

According to a statement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it had raised concerns over INEC’s preparedness, alleged government control of state institutions, including the judiciary, and threats of violence it attributed to the ruling party.

Mark said credible elections were essential to preventing electoral conflict. “The best way to prevent conflict, especially in relation to elections, is to ensure that it is free, fair and transparent,” he said.

While briefing the delegation, the ADC leadership expressed concerns about INEC’s level of preparedness and overall commitment to delivering a free and fair election. The party also highlighted what it described as “government’s capture” of state institutions, including the judiciary and INEC, as well as the various threats of violence emanating from the ruling party.

The Head of Mission and former Vice-President of Sierra Leone, Victor Bockarie Foh, said the delegation would report the ADC’s concerns, alongside those of other stakeholders, to the regional body. Foh said the mission was assessing Nigeria’s preparedness for the elections and the political atmosphere ahead of the polls, stressing that peace and stability in Nigeria were important to the entire West African region.

PRESIDENTIAL Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi has, however, asked President Bola Tinubu to “come out and campaign” for his re-election, saying it would be an opportunity for him to explain his administration’s performance in nearly four years.

Obi stated that it was unfair for a president who had devoted so much time and resources to travel to various parts of the world since he assumed office to now turn and deny Nigerians the opportunity of meeting with him to render stewardship of his administration.

Speaking in Enugu on Thursday, during a town hall meeting with residents of the state, Obi criticised Tinubu over his governance track record, alleging that the President has spent over 260 days outside Nigeria since taking office but claims he cannot spare 36 days to campaign across the nation’s states.

Declaring himself the leading candidate for the 2027 presidency, Obi asserted that the President lacks the physical energy and administrative competence to manage the country, urging him to step aside. “He does not have the competence to run Nigeria; he does not have the energy to run Nigeria. He should pack his things, go home, and rest.”

Accompanied by his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Obi stated that Tinubu should come and campaign all over Nigeria to explain to them how he had deployed “nearly 100 billion dollars”, he had borrowed since assuming office. “He must come and tell us where our money is. We want to know what all the money he borrowed was used for. So, we want him to go round the country. Our president must account for the three years he has been in office. He cannot stay in Abuja and expect us to vote for him. You must account for all the money you borrowed. We want him to go round. If he does not want to go round, he should go.” Obi said.

THIS is as the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State says it is set to stage a massive presidential rally at the Calabar Stadium on Monday, assuring that preparations are in top gear to deliver one of the best political rallies in the state.

Chairman of the state chapter of the party, Chris Etta, who spoke on the level of preparedness, said all logistics have been put in place, with all APC candidates expected to be on the ground to mobilise support for President Tinubu’s re-election.

Addressing concerns over President Tinubu’s current trip to Mecca for Umrah in Saudi Arabia, the chieftain said the rally must go on whether the President is physically present or not. “The President we know has gone to Mecca. If he’s not here, it doesn’t change anything. The rally must go on. It is the party that is on the ballot,” he said.

He explained that the President needs time to rest after the spiritual exercise, but that would not affect the party’s programme, noting that the APC, as a party, remains on the ballot and its activities must continue.