…Demands untainted integrity ahead of 2027 elections
The Campaign for Democracy (CD) has expressed concern over the omission of some political parties’ candidates, particularly governorship candidates, from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list for the 2027 general elections.
The pro-democracy organisation warned the electoral commission against alleged political manipulation, saying any action capable of undermining political pluralism and participatory democracy would be resisted through lawful civic action.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Comrade Ifeanyi Odili, the group questioned why some candidates whose names appeared on INEC’s earlier list published on August 29, 2026, were excluded from the final list without an immediate explanation.
The organisation specifically cited the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, Isa Pantami, and the party’s candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, alongside his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo.
CD described the development in Ogun State as particularly troubling, alleging that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their supporters had repeatedly expressed confidence that Adebutu would be excluded from the final list.
The organisation said the subsequent omission of Adebutu and his running mate had raised questions about the independence and impartiality of the electoral commission.
“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 read.
The group added that the circumstances surrounding the omissions raised legitimate concerns about the commission’s preparedness to conduct credible, transparent and inclusive elections.
“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,” CD said.
It also criticised what it described as a delayed explanation from the commission, arguing that the absence of an immediate clarification had heightened concerns among residents of the affected states.
According to the organisation, information available to the public indicated that the affected candidates had emerged through party primaries monitored by INEC officials and had appeared on the commission’s earlier list.
The group maintained that excluding such candidates without an immediate explanation could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
It said it decided to intervene because of the potential implications for Nigeria’s democratic credentials, urging INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), to avoid actions that could provoke political tension.
CD also warned that an electoral umpire must not only be independent but must be seen to be independent.
The organisation said reports from the affected states indicated heightened anxiety, which it feared could have escalated into violence before the commission issued its clarification.
It described the delay as unacceptable and called for greater transparency in decisions affecting political participation.
The group further demanded an immediate investigation into allegations circulating publicly that some candidates’ names had been electronically removed after they were submitted to the commission.
It said the allegations required a transparent and evidence-based response to reassure political parties and voters that the electoral process remained credible.
CD vowed to mobilise citizens and pro-democracy organisations nationwide for lawful mass civic action if it identified any threat to political pluralism and participatory democracy.
“We remind INEC that elections belong to the Nigerian people, not to 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 said.
The Campaign for Democracy, established in 1991, was among the prominent civil society organisations that campaigned against military rule and for the restoration of civil governance in Nigeria in 1999.
Meanwhile, INEC has said the exclusion of the PDP governorship candidates in Ogun and Gombe states resulted from their parties’ failure to comply with statutory requirements for submitting membership registers under the Electoral Act 2026. The commission said the affected parties could notify it of alleged errors within 14 days of publication.
