Court Orders INEC to Restore Ogun PDP Candidate Within 24 Hours

The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission to restore the name of Ogun State PDP governorship candidate Ladi Adebutu to its list of candidates for the 2027 election within 24 hours.

Justice Peter Lifu delivered the ruling on Friday, holding that INEC acted outside its constitutional and statutory powers when it excluded Adebutu without giving him an opportunity to defend himself. The judge described the removal as unlawful, unconstitutional and without legal effect.

“Justice has prevailed! Relief is here!”

The court stated that the authority to disqualify a candidate validly nominated by a political party resides with the Federal High Court or State High Court, not with the electoral commission.

The ruling followed a suit filed by the PDP and Adebutu after INEC omitted his name from the final list of governorship candidates published on October 10, 2026. Before considering the substantive issues, Justice Lifu dismissed INEC's preliminary objection challenging the competence of the suit.

Adebutu said he participated in the 2019 Ogun governorship election and was the PDP flagbearer in the 2023 contest. He explained that he took part in the party's primary election for the 2027 poll and emerged as its candidate on May 24, 2026, with his name published on August 29, 2026 without objection.

Reacting to the judgment, Adebutu declared, "Justice has prevailed! Relief is here!" He described the ruling as a victory for justice, the rule of law and democratic principles, and thanked PDP national leadership including Chief Nyesom Wike and National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed for their support.

Adebutu also commended the judiciary and acknowledged Ogun State PDP leadership, party members, supporters and residents for remaining steadfast during the legal proceedings.