Ogun State PDP governorship candidate Oladipupo Adebutu dismisses his INEC list omission as a temporary distraction.

The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, dismissed the omission of his name from the Independent National Electoral Commission list of governorship candidates as a temporary distraction on Monday, insisting the development will not affect his 2027 electoral bid.

Adebutu spoke at the PDP state secretariat in Abeokuta, where he officially welcomed over 1,000 defectors from the All Progressives Congress into the opposition platform as political activities intensify ahead of the upcoming general elections, according to information published by punchng.

The mass defection event featured prominent political figures, including former House of Representatives member Segun William and Ogun Central senatorial candidate Iyabo Obasanjo, as opposition leaders rallied support and intensified grassroots mobilisation across the state.

INEC Candidacy Omission and Electoral Act Compliance

Adebutu and his running mate, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, were notably missing from the updated list of governorship candidates published on the INEC website as of Friday, October 31.

INEC Information and Voter Education Committee Chairman Mohammed Haruna explained that the electoral commission upheld 66 petitions and rejected 64 others following the initial publication of candidate lists on October 10, 2026.

The electoral commission attributed these omissions to non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2026, specifically regarding the mandatory submission of political party membership registers following a September Supreme Court judgment.

Adebutu Defends PDP Membership and Challenges Critics

Addressing party supporters at the secretariat, Oladipupo Adebutu maintained that he remains a bona fide member of the Peoples Democratic Party, challenging critics to provide proof of any alleged defection to the ruling party.

Highlighting his long-standing dedication to the opposition platform, Adebutu noted that he actively organised and financed the recent PDP membership registration exercise in Ogun State, where over 19,800 members registered successfully.

  • Adebutu registered with membership number 1536 during the recent party registration drive.
  • The politician stated he has consistently contested elections under the PDP platform for the past two decades.
  • Party leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining focus despite external political distractions.

Mass Defection from APC Led by Segun William

Earlier during the event, former federal lawmaker Segun William led over 1,000 members of the All Progressives Congress into the PDP, citing a lack of internal democracy and failed development goals within the ruling party.

William explained that his political experiences convinced him that the ruling party could no longer accommodate the development aspirations of the people of Ogun State, prompting their strategic switch to the opposition.

With grassroots campaigns already covering 12 local government areas and more than 140 wards, the Ogun State PDP leadership insists its statewide mobilisation drive remains firmly on track.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Oladipupo Adebutu missing from the INEC list?

INEC omitted Oladipupo Adebutu and his running mate from the updated list due to petitions regarding compliance with the Electoral Act and the mandatory submission of party membership registers.

How many APC members defected to the PDP in Ogun State?

More than 1,000 members of the All Progressives Congress, led by former House of Representatives member Segun William, officially defected to the Peoples Democratic Party in Abeokuta.

What did Adebutu say about his party membership?

Adebutu dismissed the controversy as a temporary distraction, insisting he is a bona fide PDP member who has consistently contested elections under the party platform for the past 20 years.

Which political figures attended the defection ceremony in Abeokuta?

The event was attended by Ogun State PDP governorship candidate Oladipupo Adebutu, his running mate Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, Ogun Central senatorial candidate Iyabo Obasanjo, and defector leader Segun William.