Former Ogun State governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, has hailed a Federal High Court judgment ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

Adebutu, in a statement issued on Friday, described the ruling as a significant affirmation of justice, due process and democratic principles.

“Justice has prevailed! Relief is here,” he declared, expressing appreciation to the judiciary for resolving the dispute over his exclusion from INEC’s published list of candidates.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had ordered INEC to restore Adebutu’s name to the list within 24 hours.

The judge held that the commission lacked the constitutional and statutory authority to unilaterally disqualify a candidate validly nominated by a political party.

He also ruled that INEC violated Adebutu’s right to fair hearing by excluding his name without giving him an opportunity to respond.

Justice Lifu consequently declared the commission’s action unlawful, unconstitutional and of no effect, directing it to rectify the candidates’ list published on October 10, 2026.

The judgment followed a suit filed by Adebutu and the PDP after his name was omitted from the final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 governorship election.

INEC had argued that Adebutu’s name was missing from the party’s membership register submitted to the commission, while the plaintiffs maintained that he had been duly registered and validly nominated at the party’s May 24 primary election.

Reacting to the judgment, Adebutu said he had consistently maintained that the circumstances surrounding his PDP membership, registration and emergence as the party’s candidate were clear.

He expressed gratitude to the PDP national leadership, particularly its national leader, Nyesom Wike, and National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, for their support throughout the legal proceedings.

He also acknowledged the Ogun State PDP leadership, party members and supporters for remaining committed during the dispute.

Adebutu commended the judiciary, stressing the importance of maintaining strong and independent democratic institutions capable of upholding the law irrespective of political interests.

He said his attention remained on engaging residents of Ogun State and presenting solutions to the challenges confronting their communities.

The PDP chieftain urged his supporters to remain calm and conduct themselves with dignity and respect for the law, adding that his political mission was centred on the welfare and progress of the state.