Court orders INEC to reinstate Ogun PDP Governorship candidate Ladi Adebutu
**Court Orders INEC to Reinstate Ogun PDP Governorship Candidate Ladi Adebutu**
**ABUJA** — The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reinstate Ladi Adebutu as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Ogun State within 24 hours.
Justice Peter Lifu ruled on Friday that INEC acted outside its powers by unilaterally removing Mr Adebutu’s name from the candidates’ list ahead of the 2027 general election, describing the action as unlawful, unconstitutional and of no effect.
The judge held that the electoral commission lacked the statutory authority to disqualify candidates or omit names submitted by political parties without a court order.
“The power to disqualify a candidate after the name has been forwarded resides with the Federal High Court or State High Court,” Justice Lifu said. “INEC does not have the power to remove names or disqualify any candidate on its own.”
The court also found that Mr Adebutu’s right to a fair hearing was breached because he was not given notice or an opportunity to respond before his name was dropped.
The PDP had challenged the omission of Mr Adebutu’s name after the electoral body published its list of candidates in October. During the trial, the party argued that Mr Adebutu emerged as the validly nominated candidate following its primary election on May 24, 2026, and that his membership and submission complied with the Electoral Act.
INEC defended its decision by arguing that it was bound to follow the provisions of the Electoral Act and claimed the candidate’s name was not contained in the membership list provided on the flash drive submitted by the party.
However, Justice Lifu dismissed INEC’s defence, noting that the commission’s witness admitted under cross-examination that he did not personally receive the flash drive from the party. The judge held that the uncontradicted evidence of the PDP’s national organising secretary, Umar Bature, established that the proper procedure had been followed.
Justice Lifu declared that any attempt by INEC to conduct the 2027 Ogun State governorship election without the participation of the plaintiffs would be unconstitutional and void. He ordered the commission to rectify the candidate list immediately.