BREAKING: INEC Excludes Ladi Adebutu From Ogun Governorship Candidates’ List

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

According to a report by Politics Nigeria published on Saturday, October 10, 2026, INEC listed 13 governorship candidates representing different political parties in Ogun State, but Adebutu and his running mate were absent from the published list.
The report stated that the reason for their omission had not been established as of the time of filing.

The final list, reportedly signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, contains candidates from 13 political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), National Democratic Party (NDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP), alongside Party A.

The list also includes the ADC governorship candidate, Lawal Jimi Adebisi, and his running mate, Olutayo Florence Funlola Folake, reportedly following a court order.
Controversy Over Adebutu’s Eligibility
Adebutu’s absence from the final list comes amid an earlier controversy over his eligibility to contest the 2027 Ogun governorship election.

In reports published in late September and early October, civil society groups questioned his eligibility, alleging that his name was missing from the PDP membership register submitted to INEC.
The Guardian reported on October 2 that the Ogun Democratic Accountability Forum and Elections Integrity Watch had raised concerns over the alleged omission.

However, the Ogun State chapter of the PDP rejected the allegations. In a report published by Punch on October 1, the party maintained that Adebutu was a registered and financially compliant member and insisted that it had complied with the relevant legal requirements.

The party also dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, while the groups maintained their concerns over the membership register.

Adebutu had continued his political engagements across Ogun State ahead of the election. Politics Nigeria reported that he visited the Oloje traditionalist community in Abeokuta on Tuesday, where he sought the prayers and support of traditionalists and elders in Egbaland.

During the visit, he reportedly pledged to prioritise accountability, peace and prudent management of public resources if elected governor.

The reported omission raises questions about the procedure available to a political party whose candidate’s name is missing from INEC’s final list.

Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires the commission to publish the names and addresses of nominated candidates at least 60 days before the election.

Under Section 32(2), a registered political party that discovers that its candidate’s name is missing may notify INEC in writing within 14 days of publication. The notification must be signed by the party’s national chairman and secretary and supported by an affidavit.

The provision offers a formal channel through which the party may bring the omission to the commission’s attention.
As political parties prepare for the February 6, 2027 election, further clarification from INEC and the PDP is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding Adebutu’s absence from the list and whether the party intends to invoke the procedure provided by law.