Ogun PDP candidate demands to be on INEC list

A lawyer for the Peoples Democratic Party's governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Topa Peter, has given the Independent National Electoral Commission 48 hours to explain why his client’s name is missing from the final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 election.

The lawyer, Anderson Asemota from Neplus Ultra Attorneys, also requested that Peter’s name be published as the party’s officially nominated candidate. He threatened legal action if the commission does not respond.

This demand was made in a letter dated October 14, 2026, sent to the INEC Chairman. This follows the commission’s release of the final list of governorship candidates on October 10, which left the PDP out of the race in Ogun State.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that the PDP’s candidates in Ogun and Gombe states, Oladipupo Adebutu and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, were missing from INEC’s final list for the 2027 elections.

This situation has caused controversy, especially with claims that Adebutu’s name was not included in the PDP membership register sent to INEC. The commission later explained that the omissions came after the Supreme Court's judgment on September 24, 2026, in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party.

This judgment confirmed the rules of the Electoral Act, 2026, about political party membership registers and nominations. INEC said parties that did not meet the membership-register rules could not sponsor candidates in the elections.

INEC also mentioned that parties wanting to correct the published list had until October 24 to notify the commission, in line with Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Given this context, Peter’s lawyer argued that his client met all nomination requirements and deserves an explanation for being left out. In the letter, Asemota said, “Our Client briefed us, and we verily believe him that he is the duly nominated gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ogun State.”

Asemota claimed that Peter got the expression of interest and nomination forms on May 12, 2026, and took part in the party’s governorship primary on May 27. He added that Peter’s name appeared as entry number 15783 on the PDP membership register submitted to INEC, following Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The letter stated that Peter had not received any written reasons for his name being omitted or been informed of any objections that might have led to this decision by the commission. The lawyer urged INEC to confirm his client’s membership status and review the party’s primary election and nomination records.

Referring to Sections 29 and 32 of the Electoral Act, 2026, Asemota noted that the commission must publish the details of nominated candidates, as stated by the law and any relevant court decision. He also mentioned Section 77(5) of the Act, which says, “Only members whose names are contained in the register shall be eligible to vote and be voted for in party primaries, congresses and conventions.”

Asemota recognized the Supreme Court’s ruling in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, with suit number SC/CV/495/2026, but argued that the ruling should apply to Peter’s specific facts and records. “Our Client does not invite the Commission to disregard that decision. Rather, the Commission is requested to apply the provisions as authoritatively interpreted by the Supreme Court to the actual facts and records relating to the PDP and our Client,” the letter said.

The lawyer asked INEC to check if Peter’s name was on the PDP membership register, if the relevant statutory requirements had been met, and if there was any court order or lawful reason for excluding him. He demanded that INEC complete this verification within 48 hours of receiving the letter and provide a written explanation of their findings.

Asemota also requested that if INEC confirmed Peter’s nomination and found no lawful reason for his exclusion, the commission should publish a supplementary or amended list that includes his name as the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State. He wanted written confirmation of the actions taken and the results of the review within the same time frame.

Warning of possible legal action, Asemota noted that his client had instructed his lawyers to consider going to court if INEC does not provide a proper response or if the omission continues without a lawful explanation. “If the Commission fails to provide a substantive response within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt, or if the omission persists without a lawful and adequately explained basis, our client has instructed us to consider instituting appropriate proceedings before a court of competent jurisdiction, seeking such declaratory, mandatory and consequential reliefs as may be available on the facts and in law, together with costs,” Asemota said.

“To avoid any misunderstanding, we do not ask the Commission to usurp the adjudicatory function of the court. We ask it to review the relevant records and perform its statutory functions lawfully,” the letter added. He urged INEC to treat the issue as urgent and take any legal steps needed.