By Peace Udugba -The Daily Torch Media
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has questioned the omission of its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 governorship election.
Afolabi Orekoya, Director of Media for the Ladi Adebutu Campaign Organisation, maintained that Adebutu fulfilled the necessary requirements for registration and participation in the election, calling for clarification over his absence from the published list.
Speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, on Monday, October 12, 2026, Orekoya said Adebutu registered online as a PDP member on April 17, 2026, ahead of the May 10 deadline for political parties to update and submit their membership registers.
According to him, Adebutu completed the registration process and received a membership card, which he said was attached to the form submitted to INEC.
“Hon. Ladiipo Adebutu registered on the online registration of the PDP on April 17 as a member of the PDP, which was also within the window given by INEC before the submission in May,” Orekoya said.
He insisted that Adebutu’s registration was properly completed and documented.
“He fulfilled the process and got his membership card generated, which was attached to his form that was submitted to INEC,” he added.
Orekoya Cites Earlier INEC Publication
To support his position, Orekoya referred to an earlier publication by INEC, claiming that Adebutu’s name and membership number had appeared on a list displayed by the commission.
“The publication that INEC made pasted not only his name but wrote his membership numbers on it,” he said.
He added that the earlier display raised questions about why the PDP candidate’s name was subsequently missing from the final list.
Orekoya also argued that the omission was particularly concerning because, according to him, the Ogun State PDP had presented candidates for other elective positions.
“Ogun PDP has candidates for all positions. It is only Ladi Adebutu that they can’t find his name on the list,” he said.
However, the campaign organisation’s claims have not, in themselves, established the reason for Adebutu’s omission. Clarification from INEC would be necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the decision.
PDP Aide Questions APC Members’ Reaction
Orekoya also criticised members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who, he claimed, had celebrated Adebutu’s absence from the list.
He questioned how some APC members appeared to know in advance that the PDP candidate would not be included.
“A week ago, they went about jubilating that they don’t have an opponent. How did they know?” he asked.
The campaign organisation’s media director did not provide evidence during the interview to substantiate any suggestion that the APC had prior knowledge of the omission.
PDP Leadership Crisis Not Responsible, Says Orekoya
Addressing the PDP’s internal leadership crisis, Orekoya argued that the dispute within the party should not invalidate Adebutu’s registration.
He said INEC had been dealing with a particular leadership structure within the party, which he described 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 recognised by INEC,” he said.
Orekoya added that Adebutu’s camp participated in the membership registration exercise conducted under the leadership recognised by the electoral commission.
His comments come amid questions over the relationship between the PDP’s internal leadership disputes and the processes governing candidate nominations and submissions for the 2027 elections.
Campaign Organisation Calls for Calm
Orekoya appealed to PDP supporters and residents of Ogun State to remain peaceful while the party seeks clarification and a resolution from the electoral commission.
“Our people and good people of 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,” he added.
The reason for Adebutu’s reported omission remains unclear from the campaign organisation’s account. An official explanation from INEC would help establish the circumstances surrounding his absence from the final list and any steps available to the party to address the matter.
Tags: Ladi Adebutu, Ogun 2027 Election, INEC, PDP, APC, Ogun State Politics, Afolabi Orekoya, Governorship Election
