Adebutu Welcomes APC Members to PDP, Downplays INEC Omission

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has said that his absence from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) list of governorship candidates is just a temporary issue. He believes this will not stop him from running in the 2027 governorship election.

Adebutu spoke on Monday at the PDP state secretariat in Abeokuta. He welcomed over 1,000 former members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) into the party.

The defectors were led by Segun William, a former APC member of the House of Representatives. Adebutu, his running mate Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, and other PDP leaders received them. This comes as political activities heat up ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Recently, Adebutu and Sowunmi-Kolapo were not on the updated list of governorship candidates for the 2027 election, which INEC published on Friday, October 31.

Mohammed Haruna, the Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, said the commission accepted 66 petitions against the final lists of candidates for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections. They rejected 64 petitions.

These complaints followed the publication of the final lists on October 10, 2026. They were mainly about missing political parties, candidates not listed in their parties' membership registers, and multiple nominations.

Haruna explained that the commission reviewed the complaints, records, and legal requirements before making its decisions. INEC said the omissions were due to not following the rules of the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires parties to submit their membership lists.

This decision was based on a Supreme Court judgment from September 24, 2026, that confirmed the need for political parties to submit their membership registers.

While addressing the crowd, Adebutu expressed confidence that the issue around his omission from INEC’s list would be sorted out. He emphasized that he is still a loyal member of the PDP.

He challenged anyone doubting his membership to show proof of when he left the PDP. He insisted he had not joined the APC or visited its office.

Adebutu mentioned his long history with the PDP, stating he has run for elections with the party for the past 20 years. "I have been the candidate of PDP for the last 20 years, every election cycle. My question is: at what stage did I leave or vacate the party? Where is the proof that for one day I have even visited the APC office, for that matter?"

He added, "I was actively involved in organizing and financing the recent PDP membership registration exercise in the state, during which over 19,800 members were registered, my registration number was 1536."

Adebutu described the issue with his name on the INEC list as a tactic to divert attention from the opposition. He assured supporters that the party would stay focused.

He promised that the PDP would continue its grassroots efforts across the state, despite what he called distractions. He said the party has made good progress in mobilizing support in various local governments.

"We have visited 12 of the 20 local governments. Of the 236 wards, we have visited over 140 now. Tomorrow again we continue, because we know that the trick is to get us distracted. We will not be distracted. We keep our eyes on the ball and we shall win," Adebutu stated.

Before this, William, who led the former APC members into the PDP, explained that they left the ruling party because it failed to uphold democratic values and develop Ogun State.

William, who has been in politics since 2007, noted that some friends had initially urged him to join the PDP, but he ended up with the APC. However, he felt a change was needed after his experience in the ruling party. He said the defectors are ready to help Ogun State grow through the PDP.

He criticized the APC for not meeting the democratic needs of its members and the people. "We are seeking the progress of our dear Ogun State. My sincere appreciation goes first and foremost to our incoming governor, who has made this occasion possible, with the assistance of our deputy governor, our senator, the directors-general, party members, the party hierarchy and the state chairman," William said.