Court Orders INEC to Include Ladi Adebutu in 2027 Poll

Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must publish Ladi Adebutu's name for the 2027 governorship election, stating that his exclusion was unlawful and unconstitutional. The court found that Adebutu's right to fair hearing had been breached, and the power to disqualify a candidate after their name has been forwarded lies with the Federal High Court or State High Court.

The judge dismissed INEC's preliminary objection to the suit filed by the People's Democratic Party (PDP), confirming the competence of the originating summons. Adebutu, who was the PDP's 2023 governorship candidate and participated in the primary for the 2027 election, had his name published by the party on August 29, 2026.

However, it was not included in INEC's list published on October 10, 2026. The court ordered INEC to rectify the list to include Adebutu's name and declared that the election results could not be pronounced without his participation.