The exclusion of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Ladi Adebutu and his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) list of candidates for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election has raised concerns within the party. However, there are indications that the PDP may still have an opportunity to challenge the decision and seek the restoration of their names.
In an opinion article, Seun Oloketuyi, author of How to Win Elections in Nigeria, outlined the reasons Adebutu could still make it onto INEC’s final list, arguing that the outcome will largely depend on the evidence presented by the party.
At the centre of the controversy is the question of Adebutu’s membership registration with the PDP. His camp maintains that he completed the party’s digital registration, had his membership card printed and verified, and fulfilled the necessary requirements within the stipulated period.
The Ogun State chapter of the PDP has also insisted that Adebutu’s name was included in the membership register submitted to INEC.
According to the argument presented by Oloketuyi, if the party can substantiate these claims with verifiable records, it would have grounds to challenge the omission and request a review of the commission’s decision.
INEC-monitored primary raises further questions
Another factor highlighted in the argument is the PDP governorship primary held on September 27, 2026, during which Adebutu emerged as the party’s candidate.
INEC officials monitored the exercise, a development that forms part of the process through which the PDP produced its governorship candidate.
However, the monitoring of the primary does not automatically resolve the separate question of compliance with the requirements governing party membership registers. The two issues must be considered independently under the applicable electoral laws.
The central question, therefore, is whether Adebutu’s membership registration and the submission of the party’s register satisfied the requirements of the law.
Why INEC excluded the PDP candidates
INEC has linked the exclusion of affected candidates to compliance with the membership register provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
The relevant provisions were also upheld by the Supreme Court in its judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, reinforcing the importance of political parties complying with the legal requirements for presenting candidates for elections.
While the law remains binding on political parties and electoral authorities, the circumstances surrounding each disputed case must be examined based on the available evidence.
For the Ogun PDP, the immediate task is to establish that it complied with the applicable requirements and that Adebutu’s omission was not justified by the records submitted to the commission.
PDP has an opportunity to present its case
The party has until October 24, 2026, to notify INEC of the alleged omission and present supporting documents for consideration.
This deadline provides the PDP with an opportunity to submit evidence concerning Adebutu’s membership registration and the party’s compliance with the requirements governing the submission of its membership register.
If the documents establish that the necessary procedures were followed, the party could have a basis to request that INEC reconsider the exclusion.
However, the restoration of Adebutu’s name is not automatic. The commission would have to assess the evidence and determine whether the applicable legal requirements were satisfied.
Ogun voters await the outcome
The controversy has implications for the political landscape in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Adebutu’s supporters argue that he should be allowed to contest if he has fulfilled all the conditions stipulated by law. They believe that the electoral process should provide voters with the opportunity to choose among candidates who meet the necessary requirements.
For the PDP, the challenge goes beyond political statements and public reactions. The party must demonstrate, through documentary evidence, that its candidate complied with the relevant electoral provisions.
INEC, on its part, will have to assess any submission or request for reconsideration in accordance with the law.
Evidence will determine Adebutu’s political future
Oloketuyi’s argument is that Adebutu’s exclusion should not necessarily be regarded as the end of the matter, provided the PDP can establish that the requirements were met.
The party’s ability to produce credible records showing that Adebutu completed his registration and that his name was properly included in the membership register submitted to INEC will be central to its case.
Nevertheless, there is no confirmation yet that Adebutu and his running mate will be restored to the commission’s list.
Their return will depend on the evidence presented, INEC’s assessment and compliance with the applicable electoral law.
For now, the PDP has a limited window to make its case, while political observers and Ogun voters await the outcome of the dispute.
Seun Oloketuyi, author of How to Win Elections in Nigeria, writes from Lagos.
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