*L-R: Chief Kayode Odunaro and Hon Ladi Adebutu.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, to accept responsibility for the omission of his name from the final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election rather than blame the ruling party.
The APC accused the opposition party of engaging in a needless blame game following the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to include Adebutu on the list of candidates for the February 2027 governorship election.
The ruling party’s position was conveyed by the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Ogun State APC Campaign Council, High Chief Kayode Odunaro, in a statement issued on Sunday.
Odunaro was reacting to allegations by the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adebayo, and Adebutu that pressure from the APC was responsible for the exclusion of the PDP candidate from the final list.
He described the allegations as unfounded, insisting that the PDP should allow INEC to discharge its statutory responsibilities in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and other applicable regulations.
According to him, the APC and its governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, are participating in the electoral process under the rules established by INEC, which is responsible for regulating political parties and candidates.
“How can anyone attribute the failure of the PDP to follow through on simple administrative procedures and adherence to the rules of the game to pressure from the APC on INEC, leading to the non-listing of its candidate?” Odunaro queried.
He maintained that the controversy surrounding Adebutu’s omission should not be blamed on the APC, arguing that candidates in other states had also reportedly faced similar challenges over compliance with electoral requirements.
“The nationally comatose PDP should stop the blame game against the APC and its flagbearer, Senator Solomon Adeola, for all its gambling tendencies in simple matters of following laid-down rules,” he said.
The APC Campaign spokesman urged the PDP leadership to address its internal challenges and take responsibility for its actions rather than seek to portray the ruling party as responsible for its difficulties.
Odunaro further declared that the APC was prepared to contest the 2027 governorship election against any candidate duly recognised by INEC, stressing that the party’s campaign would remain focused on its programmes and electoral objectives.
He said the ruling party would not be distracted by the controversy surrounding the PDP candidate’s omission, adding that the APC was determined to win the election on the strength of its performance, capacity and policy proposals.
“Our stand is that the APC and its candidate for the governorship race are campaigning to win based on proven and verifiable performance, capacity, equity and justice, with our nine-point ITESIWAJU Manifesto,” he stated.
He added that the APC had no reason to sympathise with any political party or candidate that failed to comply with the rules governing the electoral process.
Using a football analogy, Odunaro said fielding an ineligible player could cost a team its chances of winning a match, irrespective of its performance on the scoreboard.
He argued that the PDP should concentrate on resolving the issues surrounding its candidate’s omission instead of accusing the APC of influencing INEC’s decision.
Odunaro also reiterated the party’s confidence in Adeola’s popularity and electoral prospects ahead of the February 2027 governorship election.
He insisted that the ruling party was ready to test its candidate’s acceptance among Ogun voters at the polls, expressing confidence in the APC’s campaign strategy and manifesto.
Odunaro also criticised what he described as the prospect of an “Iperu-to-Iperu governor” under the PDP, arguing that Ogun State should not be confined to a narrow geographical or political interest in determining its next governor.
The APC maintained that its campaign would focus on its proposed development agenda and its commitment to equity and justice across the state.