The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to reinstate the name of Ladi Adebutu as the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2027 elections. Justice Peter Lifu gave the order, directing INEC to update its candidates’ list within 24 hours and include Adebutu’s name. […]
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to reinstate the name of Ladi Adebutu as the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2027 elections.
Justice Peter Lifu gave the order, directing INEC to update its candidates’ list within 24 hours and include Adebutu’s name.
The judge held that INEC lacked the power to unilaterally disqualify a candidate validly nominated by a political party, adding that such authority rests with the Federal High Court or a State High Court.
He also ruled that INEC breached Adebutu’s right to fair hearing by removing his name without giving him an opportunity to respond.
The suit was filed by the PDP and Adebutu after the commission published its list of candidates in October without including his name.
The plaintiffs told the court that Adebutu participated in the party’s governorship primary held on May 24, 2026, and was declared the winner. They also argued that his name had been submitted to INEC as the party’s candidate.
The PDP’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, testified that the party submitted its membership register to INEC on April 22, 2026, containing more than 30,000 names, including Adebutu’s.
However, INEC’s witness, Mustapha Mohammed, told the court that a search conducted before the publication of the final candidates’ list showed that Adebutu’s name was missing, although the name of his running mate was included.
Under cross-examination, Mohammed admitted that he was not the official who received the flash drive containing the party’s membership register and could not personally confirm what had been submitted.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu said the evidence presented by the plaintiffs remained unchallenged, while INEC had failed to establish that Adebutu was not validly nominated.
The judge also dismissed INEC’s preliminary objection seeking to have the suit thrown out, holding that the case was properly filed.
He said the commission should have approached a court if it believed there were grounds to disqualify the candidate, rather than removing his name administratively.
The court consequently declared INEC’s action unlawful, unconstitutional and of no effect, ruling that the commission was bound to publish Adebutu’s name in line with the Electoral Act.
Justice Lifu further declared that INEC could not validly announce the result of the 2027 Ogun State governorship election without the participation of the plaintiffs, warning that such an election would be unconstitutional and of no effect.
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