Ogun 2027: Adebutu breaks silence over omission from INEC list

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 online party registration within the required period and submitted all necessary documents to INEC before the deadline.

He insisted that he remained a registered member of the PDP and had not left the party.

Adebutu said the party’s governorship primary, which produced him as its candidate, was conducted in the presence of INEC officials, who attended as observers.

He added that the necessary documents were presented for verification and confirmation.

The PDP candidate expressed concern over the omission, alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had put undue pressure on INEC.

He questioned why his name was missing from the list while the names of other PDP candidates contesting for seats in the Ogun State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate were included.

Adebutu said the party would take the necessary steps through the appropriate channels to address the issue and ensure that due process was followed.

He also alleged that the PDP had faced attempts to disrupt its campaign activities. According to him, the party had experienced restrictions on its billboards, attacks at campaign venues and harassment of its members.

Despite these challenges, he urged party members and supporters to remain calm, assuring them that steps were being taken to resolve the matter.

Adebutu said no form of intimidation should prevent the people of Ogun State from freely choosing their leaders.

He expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved, adding that his commitment to improving the lives of Ogun residents remained strong.

He said the struggle was not about any individual but about protecting the dignity of the people, promoting the state’s development and ensuring that residents could decide their own future.