The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has omitted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, from the final list of candidates for the 6 February 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.

The lists, signed by INEC secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony and published on the commission’s website on Saturday, contain 13 candidates for the Ogun election, with no candidate representing the PDP.

Adebutu’s omission comes amid questions over his membership of the party, following allegations that his name was missing from the PDP membership register submitted to INEC.

However, the Ogun State chapter of the PDP has rejected the allegations, insisting that Adebutu is a duly registered member and that the party complied with the legal requirements for membership registration and submission of its register to the commission.

The published lists did not provide any explanation for the omission.

Recall that the INEC national commissioner for information and voter education, Mohammed Haruna, said last week that political parties which failed to comply with the membership-register requirements would not be permitted to field affected candidates or substitute them.

Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2026 provides that political parties have 14 days to notify INEC in writing, supported by an affidavit, if the name of a nominated candidate is missing.

The development leaves the PDP without a candidate on INEC’s final list for the Ogun governorship election, pending any further developments on the matter.