The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, has assured his supporters that he will contest the 2027 election following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) removal of his name from the final list of governorship candidates published on Saturday.

“I am aware of the concerns following the omission of my name from INEC’s published list of Ogun governorship candidates for the 2027 election. I consider it important to address you directly and reassure you that there is no cause for alarm,” Mr Adebutu stated in a statement on Sunday.

INEC removed Mr Adebutu’s name and that of his Gombe counterpart, Isa Pantami, citing a Supreme Court judgement concerning party membership.

However, the Ogun governorship hopeful insisted that he remained a duly registered PDP member, noting that INEC officials observed the primary election that produced him as the party’s candidate.

He added, “I remain a duly registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I completed my digital registration within the stipulated period, and my membership card was printed and verified. My documentation was duly submitted to INEC within the prescribed time. I have not at any point left the PDP, and my commitment to our great party remains unwavering.

“Furthermore, the governorship primary that produced me as the party’s candidate was conducted with INEC officials in attendance as observers. The relevant documents were presented for verification, certification and confirmation. These are important facts that must not be overlooked in the present circumstances.”

While accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) of pressuring INEC, he said the circumstances surrounding his omission raised serious questions, particularly as the names of the party’s other candidates for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate seats had appeared on the published lists.

“We will pursue this matter through the appropriate channels and insist that due process is respected.the electoral body. This is not an isolated experience in our journey. Our party has faced attempts to frustrate our campaign, including restrictions on our billboards, attacks at campaign grounds and harassment of our members.

“Yet, we have remained peaceful, determined and committed to democratic participation. No amount of intimidation should prevent the people of Ogun State from having a fair opportunity to choose leaders of choice,” Mr Adebutu noted.

The governorship hopeful urged his supporters to remain calm and steadfast, expressing confidence that the matter would be resolved.