The Egba Unity Group, after reviewing INEC publications, Supreme Court judgment, and Certified True Copies (CTC) of party registers in circulation, notes that INEC is legally constrained from restoring Hon. Ladi Adebutu for five reasons:
*1. Supreme Court Judgment is Binding - INEC v Zenith Labour Party (Sept 24, 2026)*
The Supreme Court upheld Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) of Electoral Act 2026. Any party that failed to submit its membership register between April 21 - May 10, 2026 is ineligible to sponsor candidates. INEC cannot disobey Supreme Court without being in contempt. No affidavit under Section 32(2) can override Supreme Court.
*2. The Register Problem*
Independent verification by Ogun Democratic Accountability Forum and Elections Integrity Watch (CTC obtained from INEC) alleges Adebutu's name is NOT in the membership register PDP submitted. If true, PDP failed the mandatory test of using its own register for primaries. PDP's affidavit of Oct 15 by Umar Bature did not attach CTC showing Adebutu's name.
*3. Section 32(2) is for Factual Errors, Not For Forgiveness*
Section 32(2) allows INEC to correct where a name was omitted by error, e.g. printing error. It does not allow INEC to forgive non-compliance with Section 77. PDP is trying to use 32(2) to cure 77(5) failure. That is legally impossible.
*4. Selective Compliance Would Expose INEC to Lawsuits*
If INEC restores PDP Ogun without proof of register compliance, APC and other parties will sue INEC for violating Supreme Court judgment. INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan already stated Commission will comply with Supreme Court. Restoring Adebutu without evidence would be self-sabotage.
*5. Internal Contradiction - Tope Olusegun Peter Saga*
PDP cannot claim to have a valid candidate when another member, Tope Olusegun Peter, first filed to claim the same ticket, then denied it, alleging bribery. This shows PDP Ogun primaries did not follow proper party register and process.
*Conclusion:*
INEC's final list of Oct 10 had 13 names and blank for PDP. The 14-day window under Section 32(2) expired today Oct 24 at 6pm. PDP filed affidavit but did not cure the fundamental defect under Section 77.
Therefore, INEC is likely to publish a revised list *without* Adebutu, and direct PDP to court. The burden will then be on PDP to prove, with CTC, that Adebutu's name was in the register submitted between April 21-May 10, 2026.
This confirms our earlier evaluation: *Ogun PDP is in total disarray - a party in disarray cannot govern Ogun State.*
We reiterate our call to all Egba patriots: The stable, credible alternative in Ogun State is *NDC - Nigeria Democratic Congress*
Egba Unity Group
Evaluation & Strategy Desk
Abeokuta, Ogun State
_Confidential - For Strategic Intelligence_
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