Ogun 2027: ‘Justice has prevailed,’ Adebutu hails court order against INEC

On Friday, the Federal High Court ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not have the authority to unilaterally disqualify a candidate from contesting an election. The court ordered the reinstatement of the name of Ladi Adebutu, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, on INEC's candidates' list within 24 hours.

Justice Peter Lifu also held that Adebutu's right to a fair hearing was violated. The judge emphasized that the power to disqualify a candidate after the name had been forwarded "resides with the Federal High Court or State High Court." The exclusion of Adebutu's name was deemed unlawful and unconstitutional, with no effect. After dismissing INEC's preliminary objection seeking the dismissal of the suit filed by the PDP, the judge stated that he had carefully assessed the originating summons and found it competent.

The suit claimed that Adebutu sought the office of the Governor of Ogun State in 2019 and was the 2023 governorship candidate. He participated in the primary for the 2027 poll, and on August 29, 2026, the party published his name with no challenge. When INEC published the names of candidates in October, it was discovered that Adebutu's name was not included.

On October 14, the PDP and National Secretary wrote to INEC to rectify the situation, but their attempts were unsuccessful. The court declared that INEC was bound to publish Adebutu's name under the Electoral Act and ordered the commission to rectify the list published on October 10, 2026, to include Adebutu's name.