The People’s Democratic Party and its governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, his deputy, Adekunle Akinlade, are conspicuously missing as the Independent National Electoral Commission released the names of 2023 governorship candidates across the country.
Their names might have been struck out arising from a recent court judgement which declared illegal the primary election that produced Adebutu as the PDP’s flag bearer in Ogun State.
The Point reports that about four suits had been filed against Adebutu.
Two of the suits were filed by former aspirants – Segun Showunmi and Jimi Lawal, while three PDP members – Taiwo Olabode Idris, Kehinde Akala and Alhaji Ayinde Monsuri, also filed another suit challenging the delegates’ list used in the conduct of the party primaries.
Last Tuesday, a Federal High court sitting in Abeokuta, decided the case filed by the trio and nullified all the primaries conducted by the PDP in the state.
The court also barred INEC from recognising Adebutu as the governorship candidate of the party in the state.
Delivering his ruling, Justice OO Oguntoyinbo ordered fresh primaries for all the positions within 14 days.
The fourth suit against the PDP candidate was filed by the ruling APC.
The ruling party had approached a Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, seeking the disqualification of Adebutu and his running mate, Adekunle Akinlade, over alleged breach of the electoral act.
Other parties that have their candidates listed for the 2023 governorship race include ADC, SDP, NNPP, NPM, PRP, ADP, APC amongst others.
