The Peoples Democratic Party’s Ogun State governorship candidate, Topa Olusegun Peter, has threatened legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unless it explains why his name was excluded from the final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 election.
Peter’s lawyers issued the warning in a petition dated October 14 and addressed to INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN. They demanded that the commission verify the candidate’s nomination records and correct the published list if its findings establish that his exclusion had no lawful basis.
INEC published its final list of governorship candidates on October 10 without naming any PDP candidate for Ogun State, according to the petition. Peter’s legal team, led by Anderson Asemota, said their client participated in the party’s primary and that the PDP submitted his nomination details in line with the Electoral Act, 2026.
The lawyers also cited entry No. 15783 on the party’s membership register, which they said contained Peter’s name.
They maintained that their client had not received written reasons for the omission or been notified of any objection that could explain the commission’s decision. They warned that the exclusion could create uncertainty for the party, its supporters and voters ahead of the election.
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The dispute centres on whether Peter’s nomination satisfied the legal requirements governing party membership registers and candidate submissions. The petition does not, by itself, establish that INEC acted unlawfully. The commission’s records, the applicable statutory provisions and any relevant judicial orders will be central to determining whether the omission should be corrected.
The lawyers specifically referenced Section 77(4)–(6) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which concerns political party membership registers. They asked INEC to check the PDP register, primary-election records and nomination documents in its custody before deciding the matter.
They also acknowledged the Supreme Court’s September 24 judgment in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, case number SC/CV/495/2026, concerning provisions of the Electoral Act governing membership registers and party nominations.
The legal team said it was not asking INEC to disregard the ruling. Instead, it wants the commission to apply the judgment to Peter’s circumstances and determine whether the relevant requirements were met.
The petition further cited Ugwu v. Ararume and Amaechi v. INEC, Supreme Court decisions associated with disputes over party nominations and electoral processes.
Peter’s lawyers requested a written response within 48 hours of receipt of the petition. If INEC’s records confirm his nomination and reveal no lawful reason for excluding him, they want the commission to publish an amended or supplementary list bearing his name.
They warned that failure to provide a substantive response within the deadline, or continued exclusion without an adequately explained legal basis, could lead to court proceedings.
The immediate question is whether the omission resulted from a records or administrative issue, or from a statutory obstacle to the PDP’s nomination. The petition does not establish which explanation applies, and INEC’s position was not included in the report.
The outcome could determine whether the PDP appears on Ogun State’s official governorship ballot with Peter as its candidate. Until INEC responds or a competent court rules on any dispute, his demand remains a claim awaiting verification, not a confirmed finding against the electoral commission.
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