The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Friday, November 13, 2026, for judgment in a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Ogun State governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The suit challenges INEC’s decision to exclude Adebutu’s name from the list of candidates cleared to contest the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.

Adebutu and the PDP approached the court seeking an order compelling the electoral commission to recognise him as the party’s governorship candidate and include his name in the final list of candidates for the election.

The plaintiffs argued that INEC’s decision was unlawful and inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

However, INEC defended its position, maintaining that Adebutu’s name was not found in the PDP membership register submitted to the commission before the publication of the candidates’ list.

An INEC official, Mustapha Mohammed, reportedly told the court that the commission identified the name of the party’s deputy governorship candidate, Kolapo Lateefat Oyeyemi, in the submitted register but could not locate Adebutu’s details.

The commission also disputed the membership registration number presented by Adebutu, claiming that the number belonged to another individual in its records.

During proceedings, the PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, testified that Adebutu’s name was included in the electronic list of candidates submitted to INEC. He also challenged the commission’s account of the electronic storage device containing the party’s submission.

With both parties having presented their arguments, Justice Peter Lifu fixed Friday for the delivery of judgment.

The court’s decision is expected to determine whether INEC acted within the law by excluding Adebutu’s name or whether the commission should be directed to recognise his candidacy ahead of the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.

The judgment will mark a significant stage in the legal dispute over the PDP’s governorship ticket in Ogun State.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Friday, November 13, for judgment in the PDP and Ladi Adebutu’s suit challenging INEC’s exclusion of his name from the 2027 Ogun governorship candidates’ list.