Photo: The Federal High Court headquarters, Abuja — Wikimedia Commons
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish Oladipupo Adebutu as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election within 24 hours.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Friday, ruling that INEC acted outside its legal powers when it removed Adebutu's name from the candidates' list.
- The court held that INEC cannot unilaterally disqualify a validly nominated candidate
- Adebutu's exclusion was declared unlawful, unconstitutional and of no effect
- INEC must correct the list it published on October 10, 2026 within 24 hours
Why the court ruled against INEC
The judge held that the power to disqualify a candidate after a political party has forwarded the person's name resides with the Federal High Court or a State High Court — not with the electoral commission.
He also held that INEC breached Adebutu's right to fair hearing by removing his name without giving him an opportunity to respond, and dismissed the commission's preliminary objection to the suit.
The case, filed by the PDP and Adebutu on October 22, followed INEC's publication of its final candidates' list on October 10 without Adebutu's name.
Adebutu's road to the judgment
Adebutu told the court he contested the party's primary for the 2027 poll, was nominated on May 24, 2026, and that the party published his name on August 29 without any challenge.
He had previously flown the PDP's flag in the 2019 and 2023 Ogun governorship elections.
After the ruling, Adebutu thanked supporters, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whose support he acknowledged publicly.
What happens next
INEC must now amend the Ogun list within the court's 24-hour window — or challenge the judgment.
The court further declared that INEC cannot validly announce the result of the 2027 Ogun governorship election without the plaintiffs' participation, warning that an election conducted without them would be of no effect.
Credit: ThisDay and The Sun reports, November 13-14, 2026.
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