PDP gives INEC 24 hours to publish Adebutu's name — court deadline expires today, this Saturday

Photo: Ladi Adebutu · Photo: QED.NG (FILE PHOTO)

A court gave INEC 24 hours to put Adebutu back on the Ogun ballot. The deadline is today — and INEC hasn't said a word. Will it obey?

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore Ladi Adebutu's name to the list of candidates for the 6 February 2027 Ogun State governorship election within 24 hours, declaring his exclusion unlawful and unconstitutional.

Justice Peter Lifu gave the order on Friday, 13 November, in a suit filed by Adebutu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after INEC omitted his name from the final list of governorship candidates published on 10 October 2026. INEC had argued that its examination of the PDP membership register did not establish Adebutu's membership details.

Justice Lifu held that INEC lacked the constitutional and statutory authority to independently disqualify a candidate validly nominated by a political party, that such a decision could only be taken by a competent court, and that Adebutu's right to fair hearing was breached. He ordered INEC to rectify the 10 October list and warned that any 2027 Ogun governorship election conducted without the plaintiffs' participation would be null and void. He made no order as to costs.

Adebutu hailed the ruling, saying “justice has prevailed”. INEC had not publicly responded to the order at the time of filing. The ruling does not finally settle Adebutu's candidacy — INEC may appeal, and the 24-hour compliance deadline is the next test. The same judge, Justice Lifu, delivered the ADC leadership judgment on 5 November.

The Peoples Democratic Party has now written to INEC demanding immediate compliance. Counsel to the plaintiffs, Ahmed Raji (SAN), wrote to the INEC chairman notifying the commission of Justice Peter Lifu's judgment (suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2573/2026) and urging implementation “without delay”. The 24-hour deadline ordered on Friday expires today, Saturday, 14 November.

Update, 14 Nov 2026 (morning): the PDP has written to INEC demanding compliance with Friday's court order. The 24-hour deadline expires today, Saturday, 14 November. INEC has not responded to the order or to the PDP's letter — no compliance, appeal or defiance has been reported. The candidacy is still not finally settled — INEC may appeal.

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