The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the name of Oladipupo Ladi Adebutu as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election within 24 hours.

Justice Peter Lifu gave the directive on Friday, November 13, 2026, while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Adebutu and the PDP challenging the commission’s decision to exclude his name from the final list of governorship candidates.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that INEC acted beyond its statutory powers by removing the name of a candidate validly nominated by a political party.

The court maintained that the electoral commission lacked the authority to unilaterally disqualify a candidate without a valid court order.

Justice Lifu also held that Adebutu’s exclusion violated his right to fair hearing, declaring the commission’s action unconstitutional, unlawful and of no effect.

The PDP and Adebutu had approached the court on October 22, seeking an order compelling INEC to recognise him as the party’s governorship candidate and restore his name to the list of contestants.

INEC had opposed the suit, maintaining that Adebutu’s name was missing from the membership register submitted by the PDP to the commission ahead of the publication of the final candidates’ list.

The commission also disputed the membership details presented by Adebutu, arguing that its records did not establish his membership as claimed.

However, the court ruled in favour of the plaintiffs and directed INEC to upload and publish Adebutu’s name within 24 hours.

The judgment represents a significant development in the political contest ahead of the February 6, 2027, Ogun State governorship election, as the PDP candidate seeks to secure his place in the race.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered INEC to publish Ladi Adebutu’s name as the PDP governorship candidate for Ogun State within 24 hours ahead of the 2027 election.