BREAKING: Court orders INEC to reinstate Adebutu as Ogun PDP governorship candidate
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reinstate Ladi Adebutu as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 Ogun State election.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on Friday, the court held that INEC acted beyond its statutory powers by removing Adebutu’s name from the list of candidates published in October.
The judge ruled that the commission lacked the authority to independently disqualify a candidate or alter names submitted by a political party after a valid nomination process. He maintained that the power to disqualify a nominated candidate rests with a Federal or State High Court.
Justice Lifu consequently declared INEC’s decision to remove Adebutu’s name unlawful and ordered the commission to restore him as the PDP’s governorship candidate.
The suit followed the PDP’s challenge to Adebutu’s omission from the candidates’ list. Adebutu emerged as the party’s candidate after winning its governorship primary election held on May 24, 2026.
During the proceedings, the PDP’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, told the court that the party had submitted its membership register and candidate details through a flash drive within the statutory timeframe.
However, INEC’s sole witness, Mustapha Mohammed, admitted during cross-examination that he was not the officer who received the party’s submission materials.
The court also found that Adebutu’s right to a fair hearing had been breached, noting that INEC removed his name without giving him prior notice or an opportunity to respond.
Justice Lifu further criticised the commission for delaying its action for months before removing the candidate, describing the decision as a belated move.
The judge dismissed INEC’s preliminary objections and directed the commission to restore Adebutu’s name to the ballot within 24 hours.
According to Channels TV, the court also warned that conducting the Ogun State governorship election without the participation of Adebutu and the PDP would raise serious legal questions about the validity of the exercise.