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 the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.
Justice Peter Lifu gave the order in a judgment delivered on Friday, directing INEC to restore Adebutu’s name to the official list of candidates within 24 hours.
The court ruled that INEC lacked the constitutional authority to independently disqualify a candidate who had been validly nominated by a political party.
Justice Lifu also held that the commission violated Adebutu’s right to a fair hearing by removing his name from the candidates’ list without giving him an opportunity to defend himself.
Describing INEC’s action as unlawful, unconstitutional and of no effect, the judge maintained that the authority to disqualify a nominated candidate rests with the Federal High Court or a State High Court.
He explained that if INEC had concerns about Adebutu’s eligibility to contest the election, the commission should have approached a court of competent jurisdiction rather than unilaterally excluding his name.
Justice Lifu further faulted INEC’s decision, noting that Adebutu participated in the PDP governorship primary held on May 24, 2026, which the court recognised as valid.
The judge also dismissed INEC’s argument that Adebutu’s name was absent from the PDP membership register.
In evaluating the commission’s evidence, the court noted that INEC’s witness, Mustapha Mohammed, admitted during cross-examination that he was not the official who received the flash drive containing the party’s membership register.
Consequently, the court ordered INEC to correct the list of candidates it published on October 10, 2026, by including Adebutu’s name.
The ruling means INEC must reinstate the PDP chieftain on its list of candidates for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election within the 24-hour period stipulated by the court.
