INEC removes Ogun PDP’s Adebutu and running mate from final list of candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has left out Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, and his running mate from its final list of candidates for the 6 February 2027 governorship election.

INEC’s final list of governorship candidates, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, shows that Mr Adebutu is not listed. This means the PDP does not have a candidate in the list of 13 candidates published for the election, raising concerns about the party’s role in the election.

The list, signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, features candidates from 13 political parties. It also includes the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Lawal Adebisi, and his running mate, Olutayo Florence, who were added after a court order.

This situation comes as questions arise about the PDP candidate’s eligibility for next year’s elections. Civil society groups have claimed that his name was not on the party’s membership register submitted to INEC.

Two civil society groups, Ogun Democratic Accountability Forum and Elections Integrity Watch, have expressed worries about Mr Adebutu’s absence from the party’s register. They have called for his disqualification from the governorship race.

Elections Integrity Watch stated that a certified true copy of the PDP membership register obtained from INEC does not include Mr Adebutu’s name. This raises doubts about the documents supporting his candidacy.

As of now, INEC has not publicly explained why Mr Adebutu and his running mate are missing from the list.

The Electoral Act 2026 provides a process for political parties if their candidates’ names are left out of INEC’s published list. Section 32(1) says the commission must publish the names and addresses of all nominated candidates at least 60 days before an election.

Section 32(2) states that if a registered political party finds out its candidate’s name is missing, it must inform INEC in writing within 14 days of the publication. This notice must be signed by the party’s national chairman and secretary and include an affidavit.

These rules create a formal way for parties to notify INEC about any missing candidates. But what happens next for the PDP ticket depends on the reasons behind the omission and what actions the party or INEC will take.

The party has not said if it has officially told INEC about the omission or if it plans to contest the published list.

Ogun State is one of the 28 states set to hold governorship elections on 6 February 2027, along with elections for their Houses of Assembly.

INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan earlier revealed that 21 out of the country’s 22 registered political parties nominated 936 governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 28 states holding elections in 2027. The parties also nominated 9,692 candidates for State Houses of Assembly elections.