The names of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, and his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi, are missing from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election in the state.

An examination of the final list, published by INEC on Saturday shows 13 governorship candidates and their respective running mates representing different political parties.

However, neither Adebutu nor Sowunmi appears on the list, while the PDP is conspicuously absent from the parties represented in the document.

INEC did not state any reason for the omission of the PDP candidates in the published document.

However, there have been speculations that Adebutu’s name was not included in the party register submitted to INEC, in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The development comes despite the PDP’s earlier presentation of Adebutu as its governorship candidate and Sowunmi as his running mate ahead of the February 6, 2027 governorship election.

Their absence from the final list raises questions about the status of the party’s ticket and its participation in the forthcoming poll, pending further clarification from INEC and the PDP.

Among the candidates listed are Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lawal Jimmi Adebisi of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and candidates representing several other parties.

The ADC candidates’ entries carry a “court order” remark.