By Auwal Umar, Gombe

The National Association of Achievers Movement (NAAM) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain the exclusion of some governorship candidates from its final list for the 2027 general elections while clarifying the legal basis for recognising others whose nomination processes have also attracted public scrutiny.

The association specifically questioned the omission of Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State, Ladi Adebutu in Ogun State and Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo in Kano State.

It also called for clarification on the inclusion of Senator Shehu Buba Umar of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Bauchi State, former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Nasarawa State and Kingsley Chinda of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

The NAAM National President, Prof. Bishop Fumlack Victor, who stated this while speaking with Journalists in Gombe on Wednesday, said the commission needed to demonstrate that electoral laws were being applied consistently and transparently to all political parties and candidates.

“Our concern is that INEC should demonstrate that the same applicable legal standards have been applied fairly, consistently and transparently to every political party and candidate,” Mr Victor said.

He said the contrasting decisions on the candidates had raised questions that required evidence-based explanations from the electoral commission, while acknowledging that the cases might involve different facts and legal circumstances.

“We are not calling for the arbitrary disqualification of any candidate. We are calling for transparency, equal treatment, due process and electoral justice,” the association said.

INEC had attributed the exclusion of some candidates to non-compliance with party membership-register requirements under Sections 77(5) and 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026, according to the statement.

However, NAAM said the commission should provide specific details of the grounds for each exclusion, including whether the relevant political parties submitted their membership registers within the prescribed period and whether the affected candidates appeared in those records.

In Gombe State, the omission of Mr Pantami has attracted particular attention after he emerged as the PDP governorship candidate in a fresh primary conducted following earlier litigation over the party’s nomination process.

NAAM said his emergence from the primary did not automatically settle questions concerning compliance with other statutory requirements, but urged INEC to explain how those requirements informed its decision to omit him.

The association also requested clarification on the circumstances surrounding Mr Adebutu’s exclusion in Ogun State and Mr Gwarzo’s omission in Kano State.

It said the commission should explain whether the decisions were based solely on membership-register compliance or whether other legal and procedural considerations were involved.

The group also questioned the circumstances surrounding the inclusion of Senator Shehu Buba Umar in Bauchi, Mr Chinda in Rivers and Mr Adamu in Nasarawa.

Regarding Senator Umar, NAAM asked whether his PRP membership was properly documented, whether the party submitted its register within the stipulated period and whether his nomination complied with the applicable legal requirements.

For Rivers State, the association sought clarification on Mr Chinda’s APC membership and nomination, following public questions about the timing of his party registration, the governorship primary and his reported defection from the PDP.

In Nasarawa, it asked INEC to explain the legal and procedural basis for recognising Mr Adamu’s nomination following the reported withdrawal of an earlier SDP nominee and a subsequent substitution process.

The association stressed that raising questions about these candidates did not amount to an allegation of wrongdoing.

“We are not asking INEC to presume wrongdoing. We are asking it to explain the basis for its decisions and the evidence supporting them,” the statement said.

NAAM called on the commission to identify any material differences between the cases that could justify different outcomes, insisting that similar circumstances should be assessed under the same applicable legal standards.

It also urged INEC to take corrective action where an administrative error or unlawful decision was established, subject to applicable laws, judicial decisions and statutory timelines.

The group said it was not demanding the automatic reinstatement of Mr Pantami, Mr Adebutu or Mr Gwarzo, nor was it seeking the removal of candidates already included on the list.

“If a candidate has satisfied the applicable requirements, that candidate should be recognised in accordance with the law,” the statement said.

“If a candidate has failed to satisfy a mandatory statutory requirement, the relevant authorities should act through the lawful procedures available to them.”

NAAM further encouraged affected political parties and candidates to pursue available legal and administrative remedies within the stipulated timelines.

It said the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend partly on whether Nigerians could understand the legal basis for INEC’s decisions on candidate nominations.

“No candidate should be above the law. No eligible candidate should be unfairly excluded. No political party should be subjected to a different legal standard without a defensible basis,” the association said.

The group urged INEC to provide timely explanations of the disputed cases, saying transparency and equal treatment were essential to sustaining public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, a political group campaigning for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, has inaugurated its Gombe State chapter and presented 26 vehicles to boost grassroots mobilisation ahead of the general elections.

The movement, founded by Niger Delta businessman Government Oweizide-Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, inaugurated the chapter on Tuesday, with the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Kestin Pondi, representing the founder.

At the event, Mr Pondi commended Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, for his administration’s infrastructure projects, saying the governor’s performance could strengthen the All Progressives Congress’s electoral prospects in the state.

He attributed the increased resources available to state governments for development to President Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, arguing that the policy had made more funds available for distribution to the states.

“These things will not happen if you, as the governor and chief steward of Gombe State, do not decide to put those monies to good use,” Mr Pondi said.

He praised the Gombe State Government’s road construction projects, particularly efforts to connect communities, describing them as evidence of governance that could help promote the President’s development agenda.

“Your Excellency, sir, if every governor is doing what you are doing in Gombe State today, we will not be working so hard to campaign because you are the campaign that the people need,” he said.

Mr Pondi said the 26 vehicles would strengthen the movement’s door-to-door campaign and enable its members to reach more communities, engage voters and communicate the administration’s policies, particularly to young people.

He urged Governor Yahaya to provide the group with the necessary guidance and support to coordinate its activities across the state.

“We will hand over the vehicles to you so that you can work with the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement. Grant them the enabling environment, guide them and tell them who to meet. Use them as your team,” he said.

The Tantita managing director also called on Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s second-term ambition, expressing confidence that the movement’s grassroots strategy would help mobilise voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Movement targets grassroots support

The National Coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Sunday Asuku, said the organisation intended to advance its political objectives through direct engagement with voters and community-level mobilisation.

However, parts of Mr Asuku’s remarks referred to former President Goodluck Jonathan, including appeals for another four-year term and support for Jonathan in 2027. The statements appeared inconsistent with the movement’s declared support for President Tinubu, and the discrepancy could not be clarified from the available transcript.

Governor Yahaya welcomed the inauguration of the movement’s state chapter, linking Gombe’s development priorities to policies introduced by the Federal Government.

He described Gombe as an important agricultural state, highlighting the contributions of farmers, livestock producers, processors and young people involved in agricultural activities.

“Gombe is a gem in Nigeria, an agricultural and agrarian state. All these people that you see are very happy to key into the agenda of the President,” the governor said.

Mr Yahaya also highlighted ongoing and proposed road projects designed to improve connections between Gombe and neighbouring states.

He said his administration had been seeking federal support for infrastructure development to improve transportation links, facilitate trade and stimulate economic growth.

The governor further mentioned the proposed federal cargo airport, describing improved infrastructure as essential to expanding agricultural activities and supporting other sectors of the state’s economy.

The launch of the movement’s Gombe chapter adds to political mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections, as supporters of President Tinubu seek to strengthen the ruling party’s grassroots presence.

By Musa Garba

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released its final list of candidates for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election, with the name of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, missing from the list.

The development raises fresh questions about Pantami’s participation in the governorship race, following the legal disputes surrounding his emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.

Pantami had emerged as the PDP governorship candidate after a fresh primary election conducted on September 29, 2026, following a court order nullifying an earlier exercise.

His emergence, however, has remained contentious, with other aspirants challenging aspects of the primary process and his participation in the contest.

INEC’s final list is expected to provide clarity on the candidates cleared to contest the governorship election in the state. Pantami’s omission could further complicate his political ambition, depending on the reasons for his exclusion and any subsequent legal or administrative developments.

As of the release of the list, the specific reason for Pantami’s omission was not immediately clear.

The development is likely to attract further attention in Gombe’s political circles as parties and aspirants prepare for the 2027 governorship election.