It is a political earthquake in Ogun State!
The Independent National Electoral Commission has dropped a massive bombshell, expunging Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and his running mate from its final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election.
13 Parties Cleared, PDP Vanishes
The final list, signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony and published on Saturday, cleared 13 political parties for the February 6, 2027 election in Ogun, but Adebutu’s name was conspicuously missing.
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The candidates that made the list are Okewole Shuaib Olaniyi of Party A; Awofala Awolola Awoniyi of AA; Lawal Jimi Adebisi of ADC who was included by court order; Anifowose Johncrownfit Kayode of ADP; Adeola Solomon Olamilekan of APC; Babajide Rotimi Mathew of APM; Layi Labode Halima of APP; Adenuga Adekunle Dreher of BP; Dasaolu Oluwaseyi Olamilekan of NDP; Akinbola Hammed Rotham of NNPP; Fayoyin Olujobi Ezekiel of NRM; Ola Williams Adeyinka Penuel of SDP; and Johnson Cyrus Oluwaseun of YPP.
PDP is nowhere to be found.
Panic As INEC Keeps Mum
As at press time, INEC gave no reason for the stunning omission, throwing the PDP camp into confusion and panic just months to the poll.
This comes after INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan announced that 936 governorship candidates were nominated across 28 states.
Hope Not Lost For PDP
However, all hope is not lost. Section 32(2) of the 2026 Electoral Act gives a party 14 days to protest in writing, signed by its National Chairman and Secretary with an affidavit, if its candidate is missing.
Adebutu himself had just on Tuesday visited the Oloje traditionalist community in Abeokuta, promising accountability, peace, grassroots development and direct funding to local councils if elected.
