Oyo 2027: INEC confirms Adegoke as ADC guber candidate 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially validated Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the 2027 Oyo State governorship election.

The confirmation came to light early Saturday when INEC uploaded Adegoke's Form EC9, alongside the documents of other candidates, to its official website.

The publication of Adegoke's name effectively resolves the internal controversy and disputes regarding who would represent the ADC as its authentic gubernatorial candidate in the state. The upcoming governorship election in Oyo will take place alongside polls in 27 other states.

In his reaction to the development, Adegoke urged dissatisfied aspirants within the party to cooperate with him to secure victory in the election.

"We, therefore, urge all other aspirants and their supporters to desist forthwith from any further misrepresentations and to respect the decision of the party and the position of INEC," Adegoke said.

"We call on our members, supporters and the good people of Oyo State to remain calm, united and focused as we mobilise ahead of the elections," he added.

Why It Matters

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the statutory body overseen by federal law to run elections in Nigeria, meaning its official publication of candidate lists is the final legal word on nomination disputes. In the Nigerian electoral process, Form EC9 serves as a candidate's affidavit of personal particulars, and its public display is a crucial constitutional step that allows voters and rivals to verify a nominee's credentials. Oyo State, located in southwestern Nigeria, has historically been a highly competitive political battleground where third-party candidates frequently attempt to disrupt the traditional dominance of the nation's two largest political parties.