The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly interfering with the electoral process after its governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, was omitted from a list published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The opposition party expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved and Adebutu’s name included on the relevant list, urging its members and supporters to remain calm.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adebayo, the PDP alleged that the APC was putting pressure on INEC because of concerns about its chances of retaining power in the state.
The party insisted that Adebutu had neither resigned from nor left the PDP, adding that he completed the party’s digital membership registration within the stipulated period.
It further claimed that his membership card was printed, verified and submitted to INEC before the deadline.
“We state emphatically that our candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, has never left the Peoples Democratic Party at any time. He duly registered as a member of the party within the designated period of the digital registration exercise, and his membership card was printed, verified and submitted to INEC at the stipulated time,” the statement said.
Reacting to the omission, Adebayo alleged that the development resulted from pressure supposedly mounted on the electoral commission by the ruling party.
“The omission of our candidate’s name from INEC’s list is a consequence of the undue pressure allegedly mounted on the commission by the ruling party out of fear of losing the election to our party,” he said.
The PDP, however, reaffirmed its commitment to participating in the 2027 governorship election, urging its supporters to continue mobilising across Ogun State.
The party also called on residents not to be distracted by the development, maintaining that it remained confident of defeating the APC at the polls.
“While we urge the good people of Ogun State not to be perturbed or distracted from our collective resolve to vote out the APC, we remain resolute, unfazed and unwaveringly confident that our candidate is marching towards a decisive victory in the 2027 governorship election,” the statement added.
The opposition party further argued that the omission would not discourage its members or weaken their demand for a change in leadership.
“No amount of desperate manipulation, political witch-hunts or calculated distractions can alter the mandate of the people of Ogun State, who are overwhelmingly eager for true leadership and positive change,” it said.
The PDP urged its members, supporters and other stakeholders to remain united and steadfast as preparations for the 2027 governorship election continue.
The circumstances surrounding Adebutu’s omission and INEC’s position on the matter were not contained in the party’s statement provided.
