2027: Ogun PDP Running Mate Optimistic INEC Will Fix Adebutu’s Omission
The Peoples Democratic Party’s deputy governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2027 general elections, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, has expressed confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission will address the omission of the party’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, from its published final list of candidates.
Sowunmi-Kolapo said she believed the omission was unintentional, expressing confidence in the integrity of INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, and the commission’s commitment to conducting credible elections.
She spoke with journalists on Friday after observing Jumat prayers at the headquarters of the Nawair-ud-deen Society in Abeokuta, where she also received the endorsement of prominent leaders of the Muslim organisation.
Responding to questions about the omission and the jubilation among members of the ruling All Progressives Congress following the publication of the list, the PDP deputy governorship candidate urged the public not to interpret the development as a setback for her party.
She said she remained confident that INEC would fulfil its responsibilities and address the situation appropriately.
According to her, the appointment of Amupitan as INEC chairman was one of the decisions President Bola Tinubu got right, describing the electoral chief as a globally recognised professional whose reputation would not be easily compromised.
Although she acknowledged the pressure that could accompany leadership of an electoral commission, Sowunmi-Kolapo expressed optimism that Amupitan would protect his integrity and that of the institution.
She said, “One of the appointments President Tinubu got right is that of Prof. Joash Amupitan as the chairman of INEC.
“Prof. Amupitan is a globally recognised professional who would not do anything to taint his integrity in a damning way, even though it may not be out of place for the ruling party to put pressure on anyone holding such a position.
“I, however, have strong confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to free and fair elections, no matter whose ox is gored, and INEC will certainly correct all that are needed to be corrected.”
She also expressed confidence in Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring free, fair and credible elections, regardless of the political interests involved.
On the reaction of APC members to Adebutu’s absence from the published list, she dismissed their excitement as premature, describing it as evidence of apprehension ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
“Their euphoria over what I consider a dead-on-arrival mission is a symptom of a panic attack. They are ‘soon-to-be IDPs (Internally Displaced Politicians)’ and they are exhibiting the symptoms of ‘IDPA (Impending Defeat Panic Attack),’” she said amid laughter.
Sowunmi-Kolapo maintained that the PDP remained committed to its political mission in Ogun State, insisting that no obstacle could permanently derail what she described as a movement driven by the interests of the people.
“We will soon separate the wheat from the chaff. There is a difference between people who are fighting for their pockets or fighting to retain their juicy positions and those fighting to protect our heritage, in the interest of generations of true Ogun indigenes, who must not be relegated to second-class citizens by imported leaders,” she said.
She further declared that the state’s resources must be deployed for the benefit of its residents, stressing that the principle formed the foundation of the PDP’s ITURA DE mandate.
According to her, an Adebutu-led PDP administration would prioritise citizens’ welfare and ensure genuine financial autonomy for local governments to strengthen accountability and improve service delivery at the grassroots.
Earlier, the Otun Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and Iya Sunnah of the Nawair-ud-deen Society, Alhaja Risikat Ogunfemi, called on members of the organisation, the Egba Muslim Community and the wider Ogun State Muslim Community to support Sowunmi-Kolapo and Adebutu.
Ogunfemi described the PDP deputy governorship candidate as a source of pride to the Muslim community, expressing confidence that she would serve the people if elected alongside Adebutu.
The gathering also featured prayers for the success of the PDP governorship ticket in the 2027 elections, as well as for the protection of both candidates and the continued progress of Ogun State.
Imams and Islamic scholars at the mosque took turns to offer prayers, while the leaders, led by the Chief Imam of the society in the state, Sheikh Tiamiyu Olamigoke, prayed for the electoral success of Adebutu and his running mate.
INEC had, about a week earlier, excluded Adebutu and his running mate from its final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.
According to the final list published on the commission’s website last Friday, Adebutu’s exclusion left the PDP without a governorship ticket among the 13 candidates listed for the election, raising questions about the party’s participation in the contest.
Adebutu, however, called for calm, describing the development as a temporary setback and expressing confidence that his name would appear on the ballot for next year’s election.
He said he completed his digital membership registration within the stipulated period, adding that his membership card had been printed and verified before the necessary documents were submitted to INEC within the prescribed time.
The PDP governorship candidate also maintained that the party’s primary election, which produced him as its candidate for the 2027 poll, was conducted in the presence of INEC officials, who attended as observers.
According to him, the relevant documents were presented for verification, certification and confirmation, adding that the circumstances surrounding the omission should be considered in light of those facts.
He questioned why his name was missing from the published list when PDP candidates contesting seats in the state House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate had been included.
