ABEOKUTA: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has dismissed concerns over the omission of his name from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) list of governorship candidates for the 2027 election, describing the development as a temporary distraction.
Adebutu spoke on Monday at the PDP state secretariat in Abeokuta, where he received more than 1,000 defectors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led by former House of Representatives member Segun William.
The reception was attended by Adebutu’s running mate, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, the party’s Ogun Central senatorial candidate, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, and other PDP chieftains.
The political development comes as parties intensify grassroots mobilisation and strategic alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adebutu expressed confidence that the controversy surrounding his exclusion from INEC’s updated candidate list would be resolved, insisting that he remained a legitimate member of the PDP and was determined to contest the Ogun governorship election.
He challenged those questioning his party membership to produce evidence that he had ever left the PDP, maintaining that he had neither defected to the APC nor visited its secretariat.
According to him, he has consistently contested elections under the PDP platform for about two decades.
I have been the candidate of PDP for the last 20 years, every election cycle. My question is: at what stage did I leave or vacate the party? Where is the proof that for one day I have even visited the APC office, for that matter?” he said.
Adebutu also disclosed that he participated in organising and financing the party’s recent membership registration exercise in Ogun State, during which more than 19,800 members were reportedly registered.
He said his registration number was 1536, adding that the controversy over his name on the INEC list was an attempt to distract the opposition and disenfranchise voters.
The controversy surrounding my name on the INEC list is an attempt to distract the opposition and disenfranchise voters, but I am assuring our supporters that this party will not lose focus, Adebutu said.
Adebutu and his running mate were reportedly missing from INEC’s updated list of governorship candidates for Ogun State, published on the commission’s website as of October 31, 2026.
The development followed INEC’s review of petitions challenging the final lists of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates for the 2027 elections.
Mohammed Haruna, chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, had disclosed that the commission upheld 66 petitions and rejected 64 others.
The complaints reportedly involved the omission of political parties, the inclusion of candidates whose names were absent from party membership registers and allegations of multiple nominations.
INEC said it reviewed the petitions, relevant records and applicable legal provisions before arriving at its decisions.
The commission also attributed some candidate omissions to alleged non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly requirements concerning the submission of political parties’ membership registers.
According to INEC, its position followed a September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgment affirming the constitutionality of Section 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act, which makes the submission of membership registers mandatory.
Adebutu, however, maintained that the controversy would not derail the PDP’s preparations for the election.
The PDP candidate said the party would continue its mobilisation drive across Ogun State despite the controversy.
He disclosed that the party had visited 12 of the state’s 20 local government areas and more than 140 of its 236 wards.
Adebutu said the exercise would continue as the party seeks to strengthen its grassroots structures and consolidate support ahead of the 2027 polls.
We have visited 12 of the 20 local governments. Of the 236 wards, we have visited over 140 now. Tomorrow again we continue, because we know that the trick is to get us distracted. We will not be distracted. We keep our eyes on the ball and we shall win,” he declared.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, William said their decision to leave the APC was driven by dissatisfaction with what he described as the party’s failure to uphold democratic values and deliver meaningful development in Ogun State.
William, who said his involvement in partisan politics began in 2007, explained that although friends and associates had initially encouraged him to join the PDP, he eventually aligned with the APC.
He said his experience within the ruling party had convinced him that a change of political platform was necessary.
According to him, the defectors were determined to contribute to Ogun State’s development through the PDP, arguing that the APC had fallen short of the democratic expectations and aspirations of its members and residents.
William expressed appreciation to Adebutu and other PDP leaders for welcoming the new members into the opposition party.
The mass defection and the dispute over the PDP governorship ticket add another dimension to the political realignments unfolding in Ogun State as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
Visit www.rapidospace.com for more news, politics and analysis.
