Adebutu’s Name Missing From INEC List: Ogun APC Accuses PDP Of Administrative Failure

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over its reaction to the exclusion of its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates for the 2027 elections.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the APC accused the opposition party of attempting to shift responsibility to the ruling party following the omission, insisting that INEC should be allowed to carry out its duties in accordance with the law.

The PDP had reportedly accused the APC of putting pressure on the electoral commission amid concerns over its candidate’s absence from the published list. The opposition party maintained that Adebutu had not resigned from its membership and had completed the required digital registration within the stipulated period.

Reacting to the controversy, Kayode Odunaro, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Ogun State APC Campaign Council, argued that the omission should not be blamed on the ruling party or its governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola.

Odunaro said political parties were expected to comply with established electoral procedures and administrative requirements, adding that INEC should be permitted to make decisions based on the applicable rules.

He also claimed that candidates from other states had reportedly faced similar omissions over alleged failures to meet electoral requirements, arguing that the situation was not unique to the PDP in Ogun State.

The APC campaign council chairman maintained that his party and Adeola were prepared to contest against any candidate whose name was duly cleared and published by INEC.

However, he argued that campaigning against a candidate who does not appear on the commission’s official list would be unproductive while the issue remains unresolved.

Odunaro said the APC was focusing its campaign on what it described as its record of performance, capacity, equity and justice, alongside its nine-point ITESIWAJU manifesto.

He added that the party would not accept responsibility for the difficulties of political opponents who, in its view, failed to comply with established electoral procedures.

The controversy has added to political tensions in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with the PDP questioning the circumstances surrounding Adebutu’s omission and the APC insisting that the electoral commission should be allowed to apply the law.

The matter now places attention on INEC’s position and the procedures available to the PDP and its candidate to seek clarification or redress over the published list.