The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed Oladipupo Adebutu from its list of candidates in the 2023 Ogun governorship election.

The entry for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate was vacant in the form sighted by Peoples Gazette on Tuesday. 

INEC’s decision was in line with the ruling of Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, which nullified the primary election of PDP held in May.

The ruling nullified the candidacy of Mr Adebutu, who had to recontest the ticket. Delivered on September 30, the ruling barred INEC from recognising Mr Adebutu as PDP’s candidate and instructed the party to conduct another primary election within 14 days.

The suit was filed by displeased members of the party, Jim Lawal, Taiwo Olabode and Kehinde Akala. The trio accused the party of imposing a fake list of delegates at the venue of the primary election and also intimidating party members with the military. 

“They brought in soldiers to militarise the venue and used a fake list of delegates to achieve their aim. We had to go to court to upturn the malpractice,” Mr Lawal said. 

The PDP is yet to announce dates for the rerun of the primary election.