Adebutu dismisses INEC exclusion as temporary setback amid APC defections

Oladipupo Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party's governorship candidate for Ogun State, has characterized his absence from the Independent National Electoral Commission's official list of candidates as a passing distraction that will not deter his bid for the 2027 election. At a gathering in Abeokuta on Monday, Adebutu made the remarks while his party received a significant influx of members switching from the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The reception event drew over 1,000 APC defectors into PDP ranks, according to reporting from multiple sources. The group was led by Segun Williams, a former member of the House of Representatives who served two terms representing his constituency.

Williams cited unsatisfactory experiences within the APC as his reason for returning to the PDP, which he described as his original political alignment. The defection underscored internal fractures within the ruling party as elections approach.

Adebutu used the platform to reinforce his standing within the PDP, rejecting any suggestions that he had distanced himself from the party. He pointed to his track record of consistent participation and involvement in PDP affairs as evidence of his commitment to the opposition movement.

His response to the INEC omission emphasized that such administrative matters would not shake his resolve to contest the governorship race. The incident reflects ongoing tensions between opposition parties and the electoral commission ahead of Nigeria's electoral cycle.

Adebutu's public confidence in his candidacy despite the INEC listing issue came as the PDP simultaneously mobilized support by receiving defectors from the APC at the party secretariat in Abeokuta, with other party figures including Ogun Central senatorial candidate Iyabo Obasanjo in attendance.