The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) immediately comply with a Federal High Court order directing the relisting of Mr. Oladipupo Adebutu as the party's governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2027 elections. The court granted all the reliefs sought in the suit, including an order compelling INEC to publish Adebutu's name within 24 hours. The PDP's demand comes after the court judgment was delivered on November 13, 2026.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2573, was filed on October 16, 2026, following the omission of Adebutu's name from the final list of candidates published by INEC on October 10, 2026. The PDP's counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), notified INEC of the judgment and urged it to implement the court's directives without delay. The party described the judgment as a major victory for democracy, justice, and the rule of law, and expressed confidence that its return to power in the state would help restore Ogun's developmental aspirations.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said the judgment has strengthened the party's confidence and renewed the determination of its members ahead of the 2027 general elections. He urged INEC to immediately comply with the judgment and give full effect to the court's directive. The party called on residents of Ogun State to rally behind Adebutu and other party candidates in the forthcoming elections, promising to prioritize economic opportunities, infrastructure development, education, and healthcare.
In a separate reaction, the Chairman of the Ogun State chapter of the PDP, Mr. Abayomi Tella, called the judgment a victory for the people of the state. He thanked God Almighty and the people of Ogun State who stood by the party and Ladi Adebutu. Tella said he had always believed the judgment would come that way because the party did all it was supposed to do as required by the Constitution of Nigeria and the Electoral Act.
Adebutu himself hailed the judgment as a relief, saying justice has prevailed in the case. He urged democratic institutions to remain strong, independent, and committed to upholding the law, regardless of political interests or affiliations. Adebutu expressed gratitude to the PDP leadership, particularly its national leader, Mr. Nyesom Wike, and party members and supporters for standing by him.
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State dismissed the judgment as inconsequential to the February 6, 2027 governorship election in Ogun State. The party said the court verdict would neither alter the APC campaign plans nor settle the political contest ahead of the election. The APC's Chairman of the Planning Committee, Hon. Kayode Oladele, said the party would continue its statewide campaign under its governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.
The APC chieftain raised questions over the judgment in view of the Supreme Court's decision in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party. He said the fundamental difficulty with the reported judgment is its apparent assumption that every exclusion from INEC's candidates' list constitutes personal disqualification requiring a prior court order. The party's reaction suggests that the political contest in Ogun State is likely to be fiercely contested.
Key points
- The Federal High Court has ordered INEC to relist Oladipupo Adebutu as the PDP's governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2027 elections.
- The PDP has demanded that INEC immediately comply with the court order.
- The APC has dismissed the judgment as inconsequential to the February 6, 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.
