ARTICLE AD
Former Ogun State governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu and Adekunle Akinlade, respectively, have heightened the state’s party crisis.
The former deputy governorship candidate, Adekunle Akinlade, in a statement, on Saturday, advised the former governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu to wait for 2035 to become the governor of the state.
This is coming as the two PDP chieftains held a separate congress in the state on Saturday, in Abeokuta.
Akinlade argued that Governor Dapo Abiodun and Adebutu are from the same place. He stated that it would be wrong for Adebutu to go ahead to contest in 2027, stating that another part of the state should be given the chance.
In a statement, Akinlade said, “We are aware that Hon. Ladi Adebutu is deploying billions to influence his aspiration at all levels, but as stakeholders in Ogun PDP, myself, Hon. Sikirula Ogundele who emerged as the State chairman at today’s state congress, Otunba Jimi Lawal, Hon. Dimeji Fabiyi, including hundreds of our party leaders across the state have resolved to put Ogun state first.
“There is no way the incumbent governor, H.E Prince Dapo Abiodun who is from Iperu in Ikenne LG of ogun state will be competing his 8yrs term in 2027 God willing, and a self entitled Iperu man will want to be governor in 2027.”
The former Ogun PDP deputy governorship candidate noted that the parallel congress he had was deliberately done to say not to Adebutu’s ambition.
He added that the fight between him and Adebutu would continue until he saves the party from being hijacked.
“So what happened today is a conscious and deliberate line of action by all of us to say no to Hon. Ladi Adebutu 2027 ambition. He can run in 2031, 2035!! Definitely, not 2027.
“We had parallel Ward and LG congresses just weeks back, and we sat in court at FHC Abeokuta on that. We had a very successful State Congress on the 28th of September 2024.
“We shall fight to protect this party. PDP belongs to all of us. With the emergence of our party executives across the state at all levels, we shall commence the business of running the party soon. We are confident that at the appropriate time, the NWC of the party will intervene and call him to order.
“It is my sincere hope that PDP recognizes the sacrifices and commitment of thousands of our people over the years for this party. We remain resolute and committed to seeing that battle to a fruitful conclusion.
“We say NO to Hon. Ladi Adebutu strangulation of Ogun PDP and his ambition in 2027,” Akinlade added.