Ogun 2027: PDP defends Adebutu, dismisses eligibility claims

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected claims questioning the eligibility of its 2027 governorship candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, to contest the election.

The party described allegations that Adebutu’s name was missing from its official membership register as baseless and politically motivated.

The PDP’s position followed reports attributed to the Ogun Democratic Accountability Forum (ODAF), which had raised questions over Adebutu’s eligibility to contest the 2027 governorship election in the state.

However, in a statement issued in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Arc. Kayode Adebayo, said Adebutu remained a duly registered member of the PDP.

Adebayo also stated that the governorship candidate was financially active within the party and remained one of its recognised leaders in Ogun State.

The PDP spokesperson maintained that the allegations against Adebutu did not reflect his status within the party and dismissed the claims as an attempt to question his candidacy ahead of the 2027 election.

Adebayo maintained that the party had complied with the relevant legal and statutory requirements governing membership registration and the submission of its membership register to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to him, the necessary processes were completed within the stipulated deadlines, making the claims against Adebutu’s eligibility unfounded.

“Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu remains a fully registered, financially active and undisputed leader of the PDP in Ogun State. All legal and statutory requirements regarding party registration and the submission of the membership register to INEC were duly complied with within the prescribed timelines,” Adebayo said.

The PDP alleged that the claims were part of what it described as a politically sponsored campaign aimed at undermining Adebutu ahead of the 2027 election.

The party further alleged that the campaign was being promoted by elements sympathetic to the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the objective of creating confusion among voters and diverting public attention from issues it said required greater scrutiny.

The PDP also raised questions concerning the political background and indigeneship of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District.

According to the PDP, Adeola’s previous representation of Lagos State in the National Assembly and his subsequent establishment of a political base in Ogun State had generated questions that, in its view, required public clarification.

The PDP similarly alleged that there had been concerns over the implementation and location of federal constituency projects, claiming that projects originally intended for constituencies in other states had allegedly been directed to Ogun State.

The party said it believed such allegations deserved public scrutiny, but accused its political opponents of attempting to shift attention away from them by questioning Adebutu’s eligibility.

On the legal arguments reportedly advanced by ODAF concerning Supreme Court decisions and the payment of nomination fees, the PDP said eligibility to contest an election was ultimately governed by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and applicable judicial decisions, rather than statements issued by political advocacy groups.

“Political eligibility is determined by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and applicable judicial authorities. It cannot be established or extinguished by press statements issued by politically aligned groups,” the party said.

The PDP therefore urged INEC to disregard what it described as attempts by political proxies to create uncertainty over Adebutu’s candidacy.

The party also assured its members and supporters across Ogun State that, based on its position, Adebutu’s nomination process remained valid and that he was eligible to seek the party’s mandate in the 2027 governorship election.

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