The Ogun State Chairman of the Youth Party, Olamide Okunowo, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 governorship election, following the omission of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ladi Adebutu, from the commission’s final list.
Okunowo, in a statement on Sunday, expressed concern over the development, urging the electoral umpire to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency and the rule of law in handling matters relating to candidates’ eligibility and participation in the election.
He appealed to INEC to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding Adebutu’s omission, while ensuring that any complaint arising from the decision was addressed in accordance with the provisions of the law.
The Youth Party chairman stressed the importance of maintaining public confidence in the electoral process, noting that all political parties must be treated fairly within the framework of established electoral regulations.
According to her, “The credibility of our electoral process depends on transparency, fairness and strict adherence to the rule of law. INEC must ensure that all political parties are treated fairly and that every issue concerning the participation of candidates is handled in accordance with the law.”
Adebutu and his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, were absent from the final list of candidates published by INEC for the February 6, 2027 governorship election in Ogun State. The list includes Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
INEC subsequently explained that the exclusion of affected candidates was linked to non-compliance by their political parties with statutory requirements concerning membership registers under the Electoral Act 2026. The commission cited Sections 77(5) to 77(7), which prescribe requirements for party membership registers and the eligibility of parties to sponsor candidates.
However, the PDP has maintained that Adebutu is a duly registered member of the party and has defended the process that produced him as its governorship candidate. Adebutu has also said he intends to challenge the omission through the appropriate channels.
Okunowo further called on political parties to fulfil their statutory responsibilities while urging INEC to ensure that its decisions are guided by the law and communicated clearly to stakeholders.
“While political parties must comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, the electoral umpire must also ensure that its decisions are transparent and that affected parties have access to the remedies provided by law. Democracy thrives when institutions act impartially and all stakeholders respect due process,” he said.
He maintained that the objective should be to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that disputes are resolved through lawful procedures rather than political confrontation.
The Youth Party chairman also urged political actors to exercise restraint in their public statements and allow the relevant legal and administrative processes to address the controversy.
