The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of mounting pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to omit its governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, from the commission’s final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election. INEC released the list on Saturday, featuring 13 candidates, but Adebutu and his running mate were absent. The list, signed by the commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, did not state the reason for the omission.
Adebutu’s absence from the list followed questions over whether his name appeared on the PDP membership register submitted to INEC. The Ogun State PDP urged its supporters to remain calm, insisting that Adebutu was duly registered as a member of the party and that his name would ultimately be published by INEC. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adebayo, signed a statement alleging that the omission was the result of pressure mounted on INEC by the ruling APC.
The PDP maintained that Adebutu had never left the party and had complied with the party’s digital membership registration process. The party stated that Adebutu duly registered as a member within the designated period, with his party membership card printed, verified, and submitted to INEC at the stipulated time. The PDP expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved and Adebutu would participate in the election.
The PDP enjoined the good people of Ogun State to be calm and rest assured that Adebutu’s name would be published by INEC, and he would emerge as the Governor of Ogun State in the 2027 General Elections. The party urged its members and supporters not to be distracted by the development, declaring that it remained focused on defeating the APC in the election.
The PDP alleged that no amount of desperate manipulation, political witch-hunts, or calculated distractions could alter the mandate of the people of Ogun State, who are overwhelmingly eager for true leadership and positive change. The party called on its supporters and party faithful to remain steadfast, vigilant, and unintimidated, insisting that its movement to “rescue Ogun State and bring relief to our people” would continue.
There was no immediate response from the APC to the PDP’s allegation that it pressured INEC. The commission’s published final list did not explain why Adebutu and his running mate were omitted. The development has raised concerns about the credibility of the electoral process in Ogun State.
The incident has sparked tensions between the two major parties in Ogun State, with the PDP accusing the APC of trying to undermine its chances in the upcoming election. The situation is being closely monitored by stakeholders, who are eager to see how the issue will be resolved.
Key points
- The Ogun State PDP has accused the APC of pressuring INEC to omit its governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, from the 2027 election list.
- The PDP has expressed confidence that Adebutu’s name will be published by INEC, and he will participate in the election.
- The incident has raised concerns about the credibility of the electoral process in Ogun State.
