INEC WILL RIGHT THE WRONG, OGUN APC WILL BE POLITICAL REFUGEES: PDP DEPUTY CANDIDATE

The Peoples Democratic Party’s deputy governorship candidate in Ogun State, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, has expressed confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission will address the omission of the party’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, from its published final list for the 2027 election.

The Ogun PDP running mate INEC Adebutu omission optimism was expressed on Friday after Jumat prayers at the Nawair-ud-deen Society headquarters in Abeokuta, where she also received the endorsement of prominent Muslim leaders.

THE CONFIDENCE

Sowunmi-Kolapo said she believed the omission was unintentional and expressed confidence in the integrity of INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.

“One of the appointments President Tinubu got right is that of Prof. Joash Amupitan as the chairman of INEC,” she said. “Prof. Amupitan is a globally recognised professional who would not do anything to taint his integrity in a damning way, even though it may not be out of place for the ruling party to put pressure on anyone holding such a position”.

She added that she had “strong confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to free and fair elections, no matter whose ox is gored, and INEC will certainly correct all that are needed to be corrected” .

THE MOCKERY OF APC

Responding to reports of jubilation among APC members following Adebutu’s omission, Sowunmi-Kolapo dismissed their excitement as premature.

“Their euphoria over what I consider a dead-on-arrival mission is a symptom of a panic attack. They are ‘soon-to-be IDPs (Internally Displaced Politicians)’ and they are exhibiting the symptoms of ‘IDPA (Impending Defeat Panic Attack),’ ” she said amid laughter.

She maintained that the PDP remained committed to its political mission in Ogun State, insisting that no obstacle could permanently derail what she described as a movement driven by the interests of the people.

“We will soon separate the wheat from the chaff. There is a difference between people who are fighting for their pockets or fighting to retain their juicy positions and those fighting to protect our heritage, in the interest of generations of true Ogun indigenes, who must not be relegated to second-class citizens by imported leaders,” she said .

THE MUSLIM ENDORSEMENT

Earlier, the Otun Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and Iya Sunnah of the Nawair-ud-deen Society, Alhaja Risikat Ogunfemi, called on members of the organisation, the Egba Muslim Community and the wider Ogun State Muslim Community to support Sowunmi-Kolapo and Adebutu.

Ogunfemi described the PDP deputy governorship candidate as a source of pride to the Muslim community, expressing confidence that she would serve the people if elected alongside Adebutu.

Imams and Islamic scholars at the mosque took turns to offer prayers, while the leaders, led by the Chief Imam of the society in the state, Sheikh Tiamiyu Olamigoke, prayed for the electoral success of Adebutu and his running mate.

WHY IT MATTERS

The Ogun PDP’s confidence that INEC will correct the omission is not universally shared.

ADVERTISEMENT

The commission has given parties until October 24 to file formal complaints under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act.

If INEC accepts the PDP’s explanation and restores Adebutu’s name to the list, the party’s 2027 campaign can proceed. If not, the PDP will have to decide whether to challenge the omission in court, a process that could take months and leave the party without a governorship candidate.

For now, the PDP is projecting confidence. Whether that confidence is justified will be known within weeks.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the PDP has expressed confidence in INEC. The commission has not yet responded to the party’s claims.