The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reinstate Ladi Adebutu as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Ogun State. The court's decision was made on Friday, November 13, 2026, with Justice Peter Lifu ruling that INEC acted outside its powers by unilaterally removing Mr. Adebutu's name from the candidates' list.
According to Justice Lifu, INEC's action was unlawful, unconstitutional, and of no effect. The judge held that the electoral commission lacked the statutory authority to disqualify candidates or omit names submitted by political parties without a court order. This decision was made in favor of the PDP, which had challenged the omission of Mr. Adebutu's name from the list of candidates published by INEC in October.
The PDP argued that Mr. Adebutu emerged as the validly nominated candidate following its primary election on May 24, 2026, and that his membership and submission complied with the Electoral Act. The party's national organizing secretary, Umar Bature, provided uncontradicted evidence that the proper procedure had been followed. INEC, however, defended its decision by arguing that it was bound to follow the provisions of the Electoral Act and claimed the candidate's name was not contained in the membership list provided on the flash drive submitted by the party.
Justice Lifu dismissed INEC's defence, noting that the commission's witness admitted under cross-examination that he did not personally receive the flash drive from the party. The judge also found that Mr. Adebutu's right to a fair hearing was breached because he was not given notice or an opportunity to respond before his name was dropped. As a result, the court ordered INEC to rectify the candidate list immediately.
The court's decision has significant implications for the 2027 general election in Ogun State. Justice Lifu declared that any attempt by INEC to conduct the election without the participation of the plaintiffs would be unconstitutional and void. The PDP had approached the court to challenge INEC's decision to omit Mr. Adebutu's name from the list of candidates, and the court's ruling has now paved the way for his reinstatement.
The ruling is a major victory for the PDP and Mr. Adebutu, who had been excluded from the electoral process. The court's decision underscores the importance of adhering to the Electoral Act and ensuring that the rights of candidates are protected. INEC has been ordered to reinstate Mr. Adebutu's name on the list of candidates within 24 hours, and the commission is expected to comply with the court's directive.
The development is likely to have significant implications for the Ogun State governorship election, which is part of the 2027 general election. The PDP and Mr. Adebutu are now expected to participate in the election, which will be closely watched by political observers and stakeholders. The court's decision has helped to ensure that the electoral process is fair and transparent.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Abuja ordered INEC to reinstate Ladi Adebutu as the PDP governorship candidate for Ogun State within 24 hours.
- The court's decision was made on Friday, November 13, 2026, with Justice Peter Lifu ruling that INEC acted outside its powers by unilaterally removing Mr. Adebutu's name from the candidates' list.
- The ruling has significant implications for the 2027 general election in Ogun State, and INEC is expected to comply with the court's directive to reinstate Mr. Adebutu's name on the list of candidates.
