Ogun: INEC’s rejection of Adebutu’s candidacy, is the coast clear for Yayi?
The 2027 Ogun governorship race may have entered a new phase following INEC’s publication of its final list of candidates, which excluded the PDP’s Oladipupo Adebutu. In this report, OKUNADE ADEKUNLE examines the implications of Adebutu’s exclusion and what it could mean for the APC’s Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi).
On October 10, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published the final list of cleared governorship candidates for the February 6, 2027 Ogun State governorship election. The list comprises 13 candidates from 13 political parties, with the names of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, and his running mate conspicuously missing.
The candidates and their respective political parties cleared to participate in the election are: Senator Solomon Adeola (YAYI) of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Awolola Awoniyi Awofala of the Action Alliance (AA); Jimi Lawal of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Kayode Anifowose Johncrownfit of the African Democratic Party (ADP); Rotimi Mathew Babajide of the African Peoples Movement (APM); Halima Layi Labode of the All Peoples Party (APP); Adekunle Dreher Adenuga of the Booth Party (BP); and Oluwaseyi Olamilekan Dasaolu of the New Democratic Party (NDP).
Others are Hammed Akinbola of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); Olujobi Ezekiel Fayoyin of the National Rescue Movement (NRM); Williams Adeyinka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP); Cyrus Oluwaseun Johnson of the Young Progressives Party (YPP); and Shuaib Olaniyi Okewole of the Action Party (AP).
Following the publication of the final list, the Ogun State PDP, in a statement issued by its spokesman, Arc. Kayode Adebayo, attributed the omission of its candidate’s name to alleged pressure mounted on INEC by the ruling APC out of fear of losing the election to the opposition party.
The PDP maintained that Adebutu had never left the party and was duly registered as a member within the stipulated period of its digital membership registration exercise. It added that his membership card had been printed, verified and submitted to INEC within the prescribed timeframe.
The party urged its supporters not to be perturbed or distracted but to remain focused on voting out the APC, expressing confidence in Adebutu’s chances of winning the 2027 governorship election.
It declared: “No amount of desperate manipulation, political witch-hunts, or calculated distractions can alter the mandate of the people of Ogun State, who are overwhelmingly eager for true leadership and positive change.”
The PDP also called for calm, assuring its supporters that INEC would eventually publish Adebutu’s name on the list.
However, under the applicable electoral provisions, candidates who believe their names were erroneously omitted from the list have a 14-day window to approach INEC and seek redress. Whether the PDP and Adebutu took advantage of this window remains unclear, as his name was still missing from the commission’s list as of October 31.
Political observers believe Adebutu’s continued exclusion from the list could significantly alter the dynamics of the governorship contest, potentially giving the APC candidate, Senator Adeola (YAYI), a relatively easier path to the Oke-Mosan Government House on February 6, 2027.
This is largely based on the perception that the other candidates may struggle to mount a formidable challenge, given their comparatively limited grassroots structures and political influence. In contrast, the ruling APC, particularly its candidate, Adeola, is believed to enjoy considerable grassroots support and backing from influential political stakeholders across the state.
Consequently, Adebutu’s absence from the race, if unresolved, could leave Adeola with a significant advantage in what is expected to be a keenly watched governorship election.
