INEC Clears 16 for Gombe Governorship as Pantami Responds to Roster Exclusion

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially cleared 16 candidates to contest the upcoming governorship election in Gombe State, according to a report by Premium Times Nigeria. The release of the approved roster drew immediate political attention across the northeastern state following the omission of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, from the cleared list.

INEC Candidate Approvals for Gombe State

According to figures published by the electoral body and reported by Premium Times, exactly 16 contenders secured clearance to participate in the race. The commission routinely vets nominees submitted by registered political parties to ensure adherence to constitutional requirements, party primary guidelines, and statutory deadlines before publishing definitive candidate lists.

While INEC regularly publishes comprehensive rosters detailing cleared party flagbearers and their running mates, the absence of prominent political figures frequently triggers legal and political scrutiny. In this instance, Pantami’s exclusion from the confirmed list became a major focal point in the state’s electoral preparations.

Response Following the Commission’s Publication

Following the emergence of the published candidate list, Pantami issued a public reaction addressing his absence from the roster. As noted by Premium Times Nigeria, the political figure addressed the situation shortly after the electoral body confirmed the lineup of cleared candidates.

Specific procedural reasons behind the exclusion—such as administrative filing issues, party substitution timelines, internal primary outcomes, or regulatory compliance—frequently govern whether an aspirant’s name is finalized on INEC’s register. The report noted that Pantami addressed the developments amid growing inquiries from supporters and political observers in Gombe.

The Road to the Governorship Poll

Gombe State, located in Nigeria’s North-East geopolitical zone, remains a competitive political battleground. Electoral administration in Nigeria requires candidates to undergo multiple layers of verification before an election. When disputes arise over nominations, Nigerian electoral law offers specific legal channels for aggrieved politicians and political parties to challenge omissions or seek court redress to compel party compliance or INEC updates.

As the campaign timetable proceeds, the 16 approved candidates are scheduled to advance their campaigns across Gombe’s local government areas. Further updates regarding potential legal appeals, substitution windows, or additional clarification from the electoral body are expected to shape the final contest.

Source: Premium Times Nigeria

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