The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2027 election, Oladipupo Adebutu, has urged his supporters to remain calm following the omission of his name from the list of governorship candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Adebutu, in a statement released on Sunday, said there was “no cause for alarm”, insisting that he remained a duly registered member of the PDP and had complied with the requirements for his candidacy.
He said he completed his digital membership registration within the stipulated period, adding that his membership card had been printed and verified before the necessary documents were submitted to INEC within the prescribed time.
The PDP governorship candidate also maintained that the party’s primary election, which produced him as its candidate for the 2027 poll, was conducted in the presence of INEC officials, who attended as observers.
According to him, the relevant documents were presented for verification, certification and confirmation, stressing that the circumstances surrounding the omission should not be considered without taking those facts into account.
Adebutu also expressed concern over what he described as pressure allegedly mounted on INEC by the ruling All Progressives Congress in Ogun State.
He questioned why his name was missing from the published list when the names of PDP candidates contesting for seats in the state House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate had been included.
Adebutu urged his supporters not to panic over the omission, insisting that he remained a registered PDP member and that the party’s primary election was conducted with INEC officials present as observers.
The statement partly reads, “I am aware of the concerns following the omission of my name from INEC’s published list of Ogun governorship candidates for the 2027 election. I consider it important to address you directly and reassure you that there is no cause for alarm.
“I remain a duly registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I completed my digital registration within the stipulated period, and my membership card was printed and verified. 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.
“The governorship primary that produced me as the party’s candidate was conducted with INEC officials in attendance as observers. The relevant documents were presented for verification, certification and confirmation. These are important facts that must not be overlooked in the present circumstances.”
The PDP candidate also questioned why his name was missing from the list when other candidates of the party contesting legislative seats had been included. He alleged that the party had faced intimidation and other obstacles but insisted that it would pursue the matter through the appropriate channels.
He said, “The Ogun State PDP has expressed concern over the undue pressure mounted by the ruling All Progressives Congress on INEC. The circumstances surrounding this omission raise serious questions, particularly when all the other party’s candidates across the House or Assembly, House of Representatives and Senatorial positions have appeared on the published lists. We will pursue this matter through the appropriate channels and insist that due process is respected.
“This is not an isolated experience in our journey. Our party has faced attempts to frustrate our campaign, including restrictions on our billboards, attacks at campaign grounds and harassment of our members. Yet, we have remained peaceful, determined and committed to democratic participation. No amount of intimidation should prevent the people of Ogun State from having a fair opportunity to choose leaders of choice.”
Adebutu urged party members and supporters to remain calm while expressing confidence that the matter would be resolved. He said his political ambition was tied to what he described as the dignity, progress and future of Ogun State.
He added, “I urge our members, supporters and the good people of Ogun State to remain calm and steadfast. The party has spoken, and the necessary steps are being taken to address this matter. I remain confident that it will be resolved, and I assure you that I will not abandon the struggle to bring the leadership and relief our people deserve. 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.
“OGUN FOR OGUN is more than a slogan. It is a call for leadership rooted in our people, responsive to our needs and committed to our welfare. No distraction will make us abandon that commitment. We remain focused. We remain resolute. The journey to a better Ogun continues”.
However, Kayode Odunaro, the Special Adviser on Media to Senator Solomon Adeola, condemned the opposition party for blaming its misfortune on the ruling party.
Odunaro, in a statement on Sunday, faulted allegations that pressure from the APC on INEC was responsible for Adebutu’s omission from the list of governorship candidates.
He urged the PDP to spare INEC, which he said was working to deliver a credible election in accordance with the rule of law and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
He said, “APC and its candidates are contestants with other political parties’ candidates in the race towards 2027 under INEC as the umpire and regulatory body. How can anyone now attribute the failure of PDP to follow through on simple administrative procedures and adherence to rules of the game to pressure from APC on INEC leading to the non-listing of their candidate as a contestant?
“Besides, other candidates from other states suffered the same fate as factional PDP in Ogun State for similar non-adherence to the law. The nationally comatose PDP should stop the blame game on APC and its flagbearer, Senator Solomon Adeola, for all their gambling tendencies in simple matters of following laid down rules.”
Odunaro, who also chaired the APC Campaign Council Media and Publicity Committee, said the ruling party and its governorship candidate, Adeola, were ready to contest against any candidate in the race certified by INEC.
He, however, described it as a waste of time and energy to focus on a candidate and party that the electoral umpire had refused to list as participants in the race.