The Ogun State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu, has assured his supporters that there is no cause for alarm following the omission of his name from the final list of governorship candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Adebutu, in a statement posted on X on Sunday, said he completed his digital party registration within the stipulated period and submitted his documentation to INEC before the deadline.
He maintained that he remained a duly registered PDP member and had not left the party.
“My documentation was duly submitted to INEC within the prescribed time. I have not at any point left the PDP, and my commitment to our great party remains unwavering,” he said.
Adebutu also said the party’s governorship primary that produced him as its candidate was conducted with INEC officials present as observers.
According to him, the relevant documents were presented for verification, certification and confirmation.
The PDP candidate expressed concern over his omission, alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had mounted undue pressure on INEC.
He said the omission raised questions, particularly because the names of the Ogun PDP candidates for the state House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate appeared on the commission’s published lists.
“The circumstances surrounding this omission raise serious questions, particularly when all the other party’s candidates across the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senatorial positions have appeared on the published lists,” he said.
Adebutu said the party would pursue the matter through the appropriate channels and insist that due process was followed.
He also alleged that the PDP had faced attempts to frustrate its campaign, including restrictions on its billboards, attacks at campaign grounds and harassment of its members.
Despite these challenges, he urged party members and supporters to remain calm, saying the necessary steps were being taken to resolve the issue.
“No amount of intimidation should prevent the people of Ogun State from having a fair opportunity to choose leaders of their choice,” he said.
Adebutu expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved, adding that he remained committed to what he described as the struggle to deliver better leadership and relief to the people of Ogun State.
“Our cause is bigger than any individual. It is about the dignity of our people, the progress of our state and the right of Ogun people to determine our own future,” he said.
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