BREAKING: Another PDP Candidate, Topa Peter, Challenges INEC Over Omission from Ogun 2027 Governorship List
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Topa Peter, has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 48 hours to explain why his name was omitted from the final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 governorship election.
Peter, through his lawyer, Anderson Asemota of Neplus Ultra Attorneys, has also demanded the publication of his name as the party’s duly nominated candidate, threatening legal action if the commission fails to address the matter.
The demand was contained in a letter dated October 14, 2026, and addressed to the INEC Chairman, following the commission’s publication of the final list of governorship candidates on October 10, which excluded the PDP from the Ogun State governorship race.
According to the lawyer, Peter obtained the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms on May 12, 2026, and participated in the PDP governorship primary conducted on May 27.
Asemota further claimed that his client’s name appeared as entry number 15783 on the PDP membership register submitted to INEC in compliance with Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The legal demand comes amid controversy surrounding the omission of former Ogun State governorship candidate Oladipupo Adebutu from INEC’s final list, reportedly over issues relating to the PDP membership register and compliance with statutory nomination requirements.
Adebutu, who has also been associated with the PDP governorship candidacy, may equally be required to clarify the basis of his claim to the party’s ticket in light of the competing claims and the circumstances surrounding the exclusion.
INEC had attributed the omissions to compliance issues arising from the Supreme Court’s September 24, 2026 judgment in *INEC v. Zenith Labour Party*, which upheld provisions of the Electoral Act governing party membership registers and nominations.
The commission also stated that political parties seeking corrections to the published list had until October 24 to notify it in accordance with Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
In his letter, Peter’s lawyer urged INEC to verify his client’s membership status, examine the relevant primary election and nomination records, and establish whether any lawful basis existed for excluding him.
He maintained that his client was not seeking to compel the commission to disregard the Supreme Court’s judgment but was requesting that the decision be applied to the specific facts and records concerning his nomination.
The lawyer demanded a written explanation of INEC’s findings within 48 hours and urged the commission to publish a supplementary or amended list containing Peter’s name if its records confirmed his nomination and established that no lawful basis existed for the omission.
Asemota warned that failure to provide a substantive response within the stipulated period could result in legal proceedings before a competent court.
The development adds a fresh dimension to the controversy surrounding the PDP’s eligibility and governorship candidacy in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
