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.
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.
Speaking with journalists in Gombe on Thursday, NAAM National President, Prof. Bishop Fumlack Victor, said the commission needed to demonstrate that electoral laws were being applied consistently.
“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,” Victor said.
He said the contrasting decisions on the candidates had raised questions that required evidence-based explanations from the 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,” he said.