The names of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, and his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi, are missing from the final list of candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the February 6, 2027 governorship election.
An examination of the list, published by the commission on Saturday, showed 13 governorship candidates and their respective running mates representing different political parties. However, neither Adebutu nor Sowunmi appeared on the list, while the PDP was also absent from the parties represented.
INEC did not provide any explanation for the omission in the published document.
The development has raised questions about the status of the PDP’s governorship ticket and its participation in the forthcoming election, particularly as the party had earlier presented Adebutu as its candidate and Sowunmi as his running mate.
There have been speculations that Adebutu’s name might not have been included in the party register submitted to INEC in accordance with provisions of the Electoral Act. However, the commission has not officially confirmed this as the reason for the omission.
The absence of the two candidates from the final list has left the status of the PDP’s ticket uncertain, pending clarification from the electoral commission and the party.
Among the candidates listed by INEC is Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Lawal Jimmi Adebisi is listed as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Other candidates representing various political parties also feature on the list. The entries for the ADC candidates reportedly carry a remark indicating a court order.
The development comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.
Further clarification from INEC and the PDP is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the absence of Adebutu and Sowunmi from the published list and the implications for the party’s participation in the election.
As of the publication of the report, no official explanation for their omission had been provided in the information made available.
