The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to reinstate Ladi Adebutu as the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election within 24 hours.

Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment delivered on Friday, ruled that INEC could not unilaterally disqualify a candidate validly nominated by a political party, holding that the commission’s decision to exclude Adebutu’s name violated his right to fair hearing.

The court declared the exclusion unlawful and unconstitutional, noting that where INEC believes a candidate is not qualified to contest an election after being nominated by a political party, the commission should seek a judicial determination rather than remove the candidate on its own.

Justice Lifu also upheld the validity of the PDP governorship primary held on May 24, 2026, in which Adebutu participated. He rejected INEC’s argument that Adebutu was not listed in the PDP membership register, after the commission’s witness, Mustapha Mohammed, admitted during cross-examination that he was not the official who received the flash drive containing the party’s membership register.

The court subsequently directed INEC to amend the governorship candidates’ list published on October 10, 2026, to include Adebutu’s name and comply with the order within 24 hours.