Ogun State governorship hopeful Ladi Adebutu has vowed to challenge his exclusion from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 election, alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) exerted pressure on the electoral body.
Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, maintained that he remained a duly registered member of the party and had complied with the requirements for membership registration and submission of relevant documents.
He made the declaration in a statement addressed to the people of Ogun State and published on X on Sunday, October 11, 2026, following INEC’s release of the final list of candidates for the governorship election.
The electoral commission’s list contains 13 candidates from different political parties but excludes Adebutu and his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, leaving the PDP without a governorship ticket on the published list.
INEC has not publicly explained the specific reasons for their exclusion. However, the development comes amid controversy over allegations that Adebutu’s name was missing from the PDP membership register submitted to the commission.
Adebutu insists on valid PDP membership
Rejecting questions surrounding his eligibility, Adebutu said he completed his digital membership registration within the stipulated period, obtained a membership card and underwent verification before his documentation was submitted to INEC.
“I remain a duly registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I completed my digital registration within the stipulated period, and my membership card was printed and verified,” he said.
He added that his documentation was submitted to the electoral commission within the prescribed timeframe, insisting that he had never left the opposition party.
Adebutu also defended the process that produced him as the PDP’s governorship candidate, claiming that INEC officials attended the party’s primary as observers and that relevant documents were presented for verification and certification.
According to him, the circumstances surrounding his exclusion were questionable because other PDP candidates contesting legislative seats in Ogun State appeared on INEC’s published lists.
He alleged that the party had faced attempts to frustrate its political activities, including restrictions on campaign billboards, attacks at campaign grounds and harassment of members.
Adebutu, however, did not provide evidence to substantiate his allegation that the APC pressured INEC to exclude him.
Membership register dispute raises eligibility questions
The controversy surrounding Adebutu’s candidacy predates INEC’s publication of the final list.
Two groups, the Ogun Democratic Accountability Forum and Elections Integrity Watch, had questioned his eligibility, alleging that his name was missing from the PDP membership register submitted to the electoral commission.
The Ogun State chapter of the PDP rejected the allegations, insisting that Adebutu was a registered member and that the party complied with the applicable requirements for membership registration and submission of its register.
The dispute has taken on greater significance following a recent Supreme Court judgment that restored provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 governing political party membership registers and candidate selection.
Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) establish requirements concerning membership registers submitted to INEC and their use during party primaries, congresses and conventions.
Under the provisions, participation in party primaries is restricted to members whose names appear on the relevant membership register submitted to INEC within the statutory period.
Political parties are also required to use the submitted register for their primaries.
Section 77(7) provides that a political party that fails to submit its membership register within the prescribed period is not eligible to field candidates for an election.
The Supreme Court also upheld INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
INEC’s enforcement of the statutory requirements has therefore emerged as a significant issue for parties and aspirants preparing for the elections.
However, the commission has not explicitly confirmed that the membership register dispute was the reason for Adebutu’s exclusion.
Adebutu expresses confidence ahead of 2027 election
Despite his omission from the final list, Adebutu expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved before the governorship election.
He urged his supporters to remain calm, saying the party was taking the necessary steps to address the situation.
“The party has spoken, and the necessary steps are being taken to address this matter. I remain confident that it will be resolved,” he said.
The development presents a challenge for the PDP’s preparations for the Ogun governorship election, scheduled for February 6, 2027, particularly as the party seeks to retain its position as a major opposition force in the state.
Adebutu contested the 2023 governorship election but lost to incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun of the APC.
His exclusion from the latest list raises fresh questions about the PDP’s participation in the forthcoming contest.
