The Omission of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list for the February 6, 2027 Ogun State governorship election has raised questions, with the Director of Media for the Ladi Adebutu Campaign Organisation, Afolabi Orekoya, insisting that the candidate met the necessary requirements.
Recall that INEC released the final lists of governorship candidates in 28 states on Saturday, ahead of the 2027 elections. Adebutu’s name was reportedly missing from the Ogun State list, although the PDP had candidates listed for other elective positions in the state.
However, speaking on FRONTLINE, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, on Monday, October 12, Orekoya said Adebutu registered online as a PDP member on April 17, 2026, before the May 10 deadline for political parties to update and submit their membership registers.
According to Orekoya, Adebutu registered online as a PDP member on April 17, 2026, within the period allowed by INEC ahead of the May 10 deadline for political parties to update and submit their membership registers.
“Hon Ladiipo Adebutu registered on the online registration of the PDP on April 17th as a member of the PDP which was also within the window given by INEC before the submission in May,” Orekoya said.
He maintained that Adebutu completed the registration process and received a membership card, which he said was attached to the form submitted to INEC.
“No wonders why somebody will say he did not register, he fulfilled the process and got his ID card membership Card Generated which was Attached to his form that was submitted to INEC,” he stated.
To support his position, the media aide pointed to an earlier INEC publication, claiming that Adebutu’s name and membership number had appeared on the list displayed by the commission.
“The publication that INEC made pasted not only his name but wrote his membership numbers on it,” he said.
“There are a lot of moral evidence to back this up. The same They posted it there in INEC fences with its membership number.”
Orekoya further questioned why Adebutu’s name was subsequently missing from the final list, arguing that the omission was unusual because the Ogun PDP had presented candidates for other elective positions.
“You see we have no Candidate for no positions; Ogun PDP has candidate for all positions,” he said.
“It is only Ladi Adebutu that they can't find its name on the list.”
The PDP spokesperson also criticised members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who, according to him, had celebrated Adebutu’s absence from the list. He questioned how they appeared to know in advance that the PDP candidate would be missing.
“A week ago they went about jubilating that they don't have an opponent. How did they know?, while would the Candidate of APC will be jubilating and congratulating over Candidates that we don't have opponent Again,” he asked.
Addressing the PDP’s internal leadership crisis, Orekoya argued that the dispute did not invalidate the registration process.
He said INEC had been dealing with a particular leadership structure within the party, which he identified as the Wike-led PDP.
“The internal party crisis then has nothing to do with the Situation on ground, it was so clear that INEC was dealing with a particular party about the leadership they were dealing with which was the Wike led PDP, it was the leadership that was recognize by INEC,” he said.
He added that Adebutu’s camp participated in the registration exercise conducted by the leadership recognised by INEC.
“Actually Conducted the process registration contact then which we participated fully,” Orekoya stated.
Orekoya urged party supporters and residents of Ogun State to remain peaceful while the party pursues a resolution with the electoral commission.
“Our people and good people of the ogun state should stay calm,” he said.
He also disclosed that the PDP’s national leadership was already engaging INEC over the matter.
“The party at the national level is already in touch with INEC.”
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