The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has approached the court over the omission of its governorship candidate Hon. Ladi Adebutu from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The party said it was awaiting the commencement of proceedings in the case which it expects to begin this week.
Adebutu’s candidacy remains uncertain after INEC rejected his petition along with those of 63 other candidates on Thursday.
The situation is similar to that of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State Aminu Gwarzo whose petition was also rejected. However INEC cleared the candidacy of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Ali Pantami the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State.
Speaking with The Nation in Abeokuta the Ogun PDP Publicity Secretary Arch. Kayode Adebayo said the party would not disclose details of the court proceedings until the hearing commenced.
‘I don’t have the details; I don’t want to mislead the public. But I know that we are going to court this week.
‘The hearing will start; the case will commence this week. But I don’t have the actual date so I don’t want to be misquoted’ he said.
Adebayo urged party supporters to remain calm and confident that the matter would be resolved expressing optimism that Adebutu would eventually appear on the ballot in 2027.
He said the party believed in the judicial process and expected the court to hear and determine the case fairly.
‘If democracy is at play we believe that the court is the last hope of the people. We believe in the court process and we hope at the end of the day the case will be heard and fairly judged’ he added.