Ogun 2027: Court orders INEC to Publish Adebutu’s Name

The Federal High Court, on Friday, ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission had no power to unilaterally disqualify a candidate from contesting an election and ordered the reinstatement of the name of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, on the Commission’s candidates’ list within 24 hours.

Justice Peter Lifu, who also held that Adebutu’s right to fair hearing was breached, noted that the power to disqualify a candidate after the name had been forwarded “resides with the Federal High Court or State High Court.”

He said the exclusion of Adebutu’s name was unlawful, unconstitutional and of no effect.

He made these pronouncements after he had earlier dismissed INEC’s preliminary objection seeking the dismissal of the suit filed by the PDP.

The judge said, “I have carefully assessed the originating summons and I see that it bears the name of the senior counsel and was signed by him. It also has the names of other counsels in the law firm,” he said.

He said the court perused the originating summon and considered it competent.

The preliminary objection was, therefore, dismissed.

While reading the substantive suit, the judge said the 2nd plaintiff (Ladi Adebutu), stated that he sought the office of the Governor of Ogun State in 2019 and he was the 2023 governorship candidate.

He added that he participated in the primary for the 2027 poll, and that on August 29, 2026, the party published his name, and there was no challenge.

“That in October, when INEC published the names of candidates, it was discovered that his name was not included, and that he had not withdrawn from the race.

“That on Oct 14 the PDP and National Secretary wrote INEC to reverse this but to no avail.”

The Court declared that by virtue of the Electoral Act, INEC was bound to publish Adebutu’s name.

It ordered INEC to rectify the list published on Oct 10, 2026, to reflect Adebutu’s name.