A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and member of its Board of Trustees, Alhaji Fasiu Bakene, has expressed confidence that the names of the party’s governorship candidate for Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, and his running mate, Alhaja Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, will be restored to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election.
Bakene gave the assurance in an interview with journalists in Abeokuta on Thursday, urging PDP candidates in the state not to relent in their campaigns despite the uncertainty surrounding the candidates’ status.
The former South-West Organising Secretary of the party also appealed to residents to remain steadfast in their support for the PDP, expressing optimism that Adebutu would not only be cleared to contest but would also win the election.
He described Adebutu as a loyal party member who remained in the PDP when others defected, adding that the governorship candidate had contributed significantly to the party’s growth in the state.
Bakene said that “There is no way anybody can say that Ladi Adebutu is not a member of the PDP. Everybody knows him as a member of the PDP. He has never for once left the PDP for any other party.
“He stayed firm when others left, and he is in the PDP and grew the party.
“I am telling you confidently that this issue will not get to court. INEC will resolve it.”
Allaying concerns among party members over the development, the former lawmaker maintained that Adebutu and his running mate would be on the ballot in the 2027 governorship election.
He stated that PDP remained committed to local government autonomy, rural electrification and agricultural development, which he described as key areas requiring attention in the state.
The PDP leader added that residents were looking forward to the party’s return to power, citing the challenges they were currently facing and the benefits he said they enjoyed when the PDP governed the state.
“People of the state are eagerly awaiting the return of the PDP to power because of difficulties they are currently facing and what they enjoyed when the party was in power,” he said.