The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, has questioned his exclusion from the final list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 governorship election.
Adebutu, in a statement on Sunday, said the circumstances surrounding the omission of his name and that of his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, raised “serious questions”.
He noted that other PDP candidates contesting for seats in the Ogun State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate were included in the published lists, while the party’s governorship ticket was missing.
“We will pursue this matter through the appropriate channels and insist that due process is respected,” Adebutu said.
The commission released its final list of candidates on Saturday, October 10, ahead of the February 6, 2027, governorship election. The published list contained 13 governorship candidates and their running mates in Ogun State, but neither Adebutu nor Sowunmi-Kolapo appeared on it.
Adebutu maintained that he remained a duly registered member of the PDP, saying he completed the party’s digital registration process and had his membership card printed and verified.
He also said the party primary that produced him as its governorship candidate was conducted in the presence of INEC officials, who attended as observers. According to him, the relevant documents were submitted to the commission within the stipulated period.
The omission comes amid questions over Adebutu’s eligibility, following allegations by some groups that his name was missing from the PDP membership register submitted to INEC. The Ogun PDP has rejected those allegations and insisted that it complied with the relevant requirements. <Cite refs=
As of the latest reports, INEC had not publicly explained why Adebutu and his running mate were omitted from the list.
The PDP candidate said steps were being taken to address the matter and urged party members and supporters to remain calm while the issue was pursued through the appropriate channels.
Ogun State is among the states scheduled to hold governorship elections in February 2027.