“ITURA DE”: ADEBUTU VOWS TO PURSUE DUE PROCESS OVER NAME OMISSION

Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu has broken his silence on the omission of his name from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) published list of Ogun State governorship candidates for the 2027 election, addressing the people of Ogun State directly in a statement that combines reassurance, accusation and defiance.

In the statement titled “The Omission of My Name From INEC’s Published List of Governorship Candidates,” Adebutu told the people of Ogun State that there was “no cause for alarm,” insisted he remained a duly registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and vowed that the matter would be pursued through the appropriate channels.

The statement is his first direct comment since INEC published its final list on Saturday, October 10, 2026, without his name or that of his running mate, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo.

“I COMPLETED MY DIGITAL REGISTRATION”

Adebutu opened by acknowledging the concerns that followed the publication of the list, then moved quickly to reassure his supporters.

“I am aware of the concerns following the omission of my name from INEC’s published list of Ogun governorship candidates for the 2027 election. I consider it important to address you directly and reassure you that there is no cause for alarm,” he said.

He then laid out his case in plain terms. “I remain a duly registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I completed my digital registration within the stipulated period, and my membership card was printed and verified. My documentation was duly submitted to INEC within the prescribed time. I have not at any point left the PDP, and my commitment to our great party remains unwavering.”

The claim is central to any remedy under the Electoral Act 2026. Section 32(2) allows a political party whose candidate’s name is missing from the published list to notify INEC in writing within 14 days of publication, but the notification must be signed by the party’s national chairman and secretary and supported by an affidavit.

The foundation of that notification is precisely what Adebutu asserts: valid registration and timely submission of documentation.

“INEC OFFICIALS WERE PRESENT AT THE PRIMARY”

Adebutu also addressed the legitimacy of the primary that produced him as the PDP’s candidate.

“Furthermore, the governorship primary that produced me as the party’s candidate was conducted with INEC officials in attendance as observers. The relevant documents were presented for verification, certification and confirmation. These are important facts that must not be overlooked in the present circumstances.”

This point matters because one of the grounds on which a nomination can be challenged is that the primary did not comply with the Electoral Act. If INEC officials attended as observers and documents were verified, Adebutu is arguing that the process met the statutory standard.

THE ACCUSATION: “UNDUE PRESSURE” ON INEC

Adebutu then turned to the Ogun PDP’s central allegation — that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) pressured INEC into the omission.

“The Ogun State PDP has expressed concern over the undue pressure mounted by the ruling All Progressives Congress on INEC. The circumstances surrounding this omission raise serious questions, particularly when all the other party’s candidates across the House or Assembly, House of Representatives and Senatorial positions have appeared on the published lists.”

That last sentence is the sharpest point in the statement. Adebutu is not merely asserting innocence, he is pointing to an apparent inconsistency. If the PDP’s membership register was defective enough to disqualify him, why were the party’s other candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate published?

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The answer matters. A defective membership register would ordinarily affect every candidate nominated by the same party in the same state.

Adebutu’s observation suggests either an administrative error or selective application of the rules. “We will pursue this matter through the appropriate channels and insist that due process is respected,” he said.”

THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED EXPERIENCE”

Adebutu placed the omission within a wider pattern of what he described as efforts to frustrate the PDP’s campaign in Ogun State.

“This is not an isolated experience in our journey. Our party has faced attempts to frustrate our campaign, including restrictions on our billboards, attacks at campaign grounds and harassment of our members.”

He did not provide details or specific incidents in the statement, but the references to billboard restrictions, attacks at campaign grounds and harassment of members align with complaints the party has raised previously.

“Yet, we have remained peaceful, determined and committed to democratic participation. No amount of intimidation should prevent the people of Ogun State from having a fair opportunity to choose leaders of choice.”

A CALL FOR CALM

Having made his case, Adebutu appealed for calm. “I urge our members, supporters and the good people of Ogun State to remain calm and steadfast. The party has spoken, and the necessary steps are being taken to address this matter. I remain confident that it will be resolved, and I assure you that I will not abandon the struggle to bring the leadership and relief our people deserve.”

The phrase “the necessary steps are being taken” is notable for what it does not say. Adebutu did not confirm whether the PDP has formally filed a notification with INEC under Section 32(2), nor whether litigation is contemplated.

He left the mechanics of the remedy unstated while asserting confidence in the outcome.

“OUR CAUSE IS BIGGER THAN ANY INDIVIDUAL”

Adebutu then shifted from the legal to the political, framing the contest in terms larger than his own candidacy.

“Our cause is bigger than any individual. It is about the dignity of our people, the progress of our state and the right of Ogun people to determine our own future.”

He returned to the slogan that has anchored his campaign.

“OGUN FOR OGUN is more than a slogan. It is a call for leadership rooted in our people, responsive to our needs and committed to our welfare. No distraction will make us abandon that commitment.”

The “OGUN FOR OGUN” slogan has been central to Adebutu’s political messaging, positioning him as a candidate rooted in the state rather than imposed from outside.

It is a message that resonates in a state where political control has shifted between blocs and where the question of who genuinely represents Ogun interests is contested.

“WE REMAIN FOCUSED, WE REMAIN RESOLUTE”

Adebutu closed with a rallying cry.”We remain focused. We remain resolute. The journey to a better Ogun continues. RELIEF IS HERE! ITURA DE!”

“Itura De” — Yoruba for “comfort has arrived” or “relief is here”, is the phrase that has become the signature of his campaign, a promise of relief from hardship that his supporters have adopted as their own.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Adebutu’s statement does not resolve the central legal question. Under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, a political party that discovers its candidate’s name is missing from the published list has 14 days from the date of publication to notify INEC in writing.

The notification must be signed by the party’s national chairman and secretary and supported by an affidavit.

INEC’s final list was published on October 10, 2026. The 14-day window therefore closes on or about October 24, 2026.

Whether the PDP has filed, or will file that notification remains unclear. The party’s state chapter has expressed confidence, but the statutory requirement is specifically for the national chairman and national secretary to sign.

Meanwhile, the petition by Comrade Abayomi Arabambi and the Action Alliance governorship candidate, Prof. Awofala Awolola, dated September 30, 2026, remains part of the record.

It asked INEC to review the PDP’s membership register to determine whether Adebutu’s name appeared on it.

INEC has not publicly stated its reason for the omission. The commission’s published list carried no explanation.

THE POLITICAL DIMENSION

Beyond the legal mechanics, Adebutu’s statement is a political document. It does three things at once. It reassures his base, telling supporters there is no cause for alarm and that the matter will be resolved. It attacks the ruling party, accusing the APC of pressuring INEC and pointing to the inconsistency of other PDP candidates appearing on the list.

And it frames the contest in moral terms, dignity, progress, the right of Ogun people to choose their own leaders.

Whether the legal process restores Adebutu’s name to the ballot or confirms his exclusion, the statement ensures that his supporters understand the omission as a fight, not a defeat.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the PDP has 14 days from the publication of the list to formally notify INEC. Adebutu has said he will not abandon the struggle.