Ogun PDP Crisis: Showunmi heads to Supreme Court As Adebutu’s name missing on INEC list

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed Ladi Adebutu as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State.

This is as governorship hopeful in the state, Segun Showunmi, headed to the Supreme Court to seek redress.

CN reports that in the final list released on Tuesday, INEC refused to include Adebutu and his running mate, Adekunle Akinlade as candidates of the PDP in the 2023 election.

The electoral umpire cited ‘court order’ as the reason for its action.

Recall that a Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta had last week nullified all PDP primaries, asking that fresh primary elections be conducted within 14 days.

But, Showunmi said he had dragged the party to the Supreme Court in Abuja, claiming that the judgment of the Federal High Court did not affect his case.

Showunmi had earlier before the Ogun PDP primaries dragged the Sikirulahi Ogundele-led party executive to an Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta, asking it to dissolve the party officials for alleged bias; but the court said the matter was a party affair which it could not rule over.

Showunmi proceeded to the Appeal court, where two of his three prayers were granted; but the appellate court agreed with the lower court that the matter was a party affair.

Not satisfied, Showunmi said he is now before the Supreme Court in his pursuit of justice against the party executive, who he said claimed to have obtained nomination forms for Ladi Adebutu.

The Egba Chief maintained that the nullification of the PDP primaries in Ogun by the court has confirmed that he is on the right path with his litigation against the party.

“While Hon. Ladi Adebutu and his people are still struggling with the High Court judgement, my own case is already before the Supreme Court on the same matter.

“What happened in court last week has confirmed my words that the process was not right. While they are still dragging at the lower court, I have taken them to the Supreme Court. Very soon, the Supreme Court will declare me the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun for the 2023 election,” he expressed confidence.

Abiodun, others make list, Labour Party missing

Meanwhile, Governor Dapo Abiodun has been confirmed as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 election in Ogun.

Abiodun is running with his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyede, the list confirmed.

Our correspondent observed that the Labour Party in Ogun State has no governorship candidate on the INEC list.

The commission released the names of 13 political parties and the candidates in the final list on Tuesday, neither the Labour Party nor its candidate appeared on the INEC’s list.

The Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Niyi Iyalaje told our correspondent that the list pasted was the one authorised by the INEC’s headquarters in Abuja.

Others on the list are Biyi Otegbeye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); Oguntoyinbo Femi Ajadi of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) among others.

Reacting, the Spokesman of PDP, Akinloye Bankole said, “The INEC simply obeyed the court order and that explains why our candidate’s names were missing.

”We have appealed the judgment and we await the decision of the appeal court on the issue.”