Nigeria's INEC bars Pantami, Adebutu from 2027 governorship race over party register non-compliance

Nigeria's electoral commission (INEC) has excluded former minister Isa Pantami and Ogun PDP candidate Ladi Adebutu from the 2027 governorship candidates' list, citing their parties' failure to meet membership register requirements under Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026. This marks a procedural enforcement that could reshape party primaries and candidate eligibility, though appeals or legal challenges may follow.