By Egba Integrity Group | Abeokuta
Ogun politics has thrown up a puzzle that has left even lawyers confused.
On INEC's final list for the 2027 elections, the Commission published Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello as the PDP candidate for Ogun Central, even though her nomination is currently under challenge at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta in Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/117/2026 filed by fellow PDP aspirant, Sogbesan Amoo.
On the same INEC final list, the PDP has no governorship candidate. The name of Oladipupo Adebutu and his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, is missing, while 13 other governorship candidates, including APC's Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi), are listed.
*Why the difference? Legal experts explain it is about timing and court orders.*
*1. Iyabo Obasanjo: A Case Still Pending*
Iyabo's route was unusual. She joined APC in February 2026 to pursue governorship. After the April 30 statutory deadline for conclusion of primaries, and after Governor Dapo Abiodun named Senator Adeola Yayi as APC's preferred successor, she left APC on May 31, 2026 and returned to PDP, which gave her the Ogun Central ticket on June 17, 2026.
The suit filed on August 14, 2026 argues:
- Her name was not in the PDP register submitted to INEC under Section 77(4) of Electoral Act 2026.
- She did not participate in the PDP primary.
- INEC should not have published her name under Section 29(1).
*Status:* The case came up on September 29, 2026 before Justice Okeke and was adjourned to *November 3, 2026* for mention. *No court has disqualified her. No injunction has been granted.* The question is, should she have been listed in the first place.
*2. Ladi Adebutu: A Case Already Decided By Supreme Court*
Adebutu's omission is not based on the same pending suit. It is linked to the Supreme Court judgment of *September 24, 2026* which restored Sections 77(5)(6)(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.
That judgment mandated INEC to enforce strict compliance with membership register and primary monitoring. INEC sources told Tribune that the Commission is now auditing all governorship nominations against that judgment. PDP in Ogun also has a parallel leadership crisis with Tope Olusegun Peter claiming to be the authentic governorship candidate of the PDP.
*The Questions Ogun Is Asking:*
- If the register is in dispute for a senatorial candidate and INEC still listed her pending court decision, why was a governorship candidate removed before any public explanation?
- Should voters see Iyabo's listing as INEC obeying the rule of law - _publish first, obey court later_ - or as inconsistent application?
*The Bigger Question:*
Is Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo above the ruling of the Supreme Court? Has INEC been compromised?
Can INEC be trusted to obey court decisions? The test will be whether INEC will immediately comply if the Federal High Court disqualifies her, just as it complied with the Supreme Court in Adebutu's case.
For now, both fates show one thing: *INEC is no longer rubber-stamping party lists.* The era of submitting names without a valid register and primary is over.
*Egba Integrity Group demands INEC should:*
1.Clarify why Prof Iyabo Obasanjo has not been removed
Until then, Ogun Central remains open for NDC's Rotimi George-Taylor and APC's Shuaibu Salisu.
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