The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered a setback in its preparations for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) left its candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, off the final list of candidates.
TheNewsGuru reports that a check of INEC’s portal by Daily Trust showed that the commission’s final list contained 13 governorship candidates and their deputies, with the PDP flagbearer and his running mate missing.
The list, signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, includes candidates from several political parties contesting the governorship election scheduled for 2027.
Among those cleared are the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and his running mate, Kudirat Abiodun Balogun.
Jimi Lawal, an ally of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, was also listed as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Other parties represented on the list include the A, AA, ADP, APM, APP, BP, NDP, NNPP, NRM, SDP and YPP.
Adebutu’s absence from the final list raises questions about the PDP’s participation in the Ogun governorship election, particularly as parties intensify preparations for the 2027 polls.
However, the information available in the report does not establish why INEC omitted Adebutu and Sowunmi-Kolapo from the published list.
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The commission has also not been quoted as providing a specific explanation for their absence.
APC, ADC Candidates Make The List
While the PDP candidates were missing, the APC and ADC had their respective governorship candidates and running mates included in the publication.
Adeola’s inclusion places him on the final list as the APC prepares for the contest, while Lawal’s appearance confirms his listing under the ADC platform.
The commission’s publication also features candidates from smaller political parties, reflecting the range of parties seeking to contest the Ogun governorship election.
With the election approaching, attention will be on whether the PDP candidates’ omission is addressed and whether the party will provide further clarification on the status of its ticket.