INEC Omits PDP Governorship Candidate From Ogun State List

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) excluded Oladipupo Adebutu, the governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, from the final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027, election. The PDP alleges that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) exerted undue pressure on the commission to secure a political advantage due to fear of losing the upcoming contest.

Adebutu maintains that he is a duly registered member who completed all digital registration requirements and submitted verified documentation within the prescribed timeframe. He noted that while he was omitted, PDP candidates for legislative seats were included on the list. INEC has not officially stated its reasons for the exclusion, though the decision is linked to the Electoral Act 2026 and a Supreme Court judgment requiring candidates to appear on a party's membership register submitted to the commission.

The APC has rejected the allegations, with Kayode Odunaro, Chairman of the APC Campaign Council's Media and Publicity Committee, dismissing the claims as a blame game. Odunaro attributed the omission to the PDP's failure to follow administrative procedures and the law, noting that other candidates in different states faced similar exclusions for non-compliance. The APC stated that its candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, is prepared to contest against any eligible candidate certified by the commission.