Wait till 2031 to re -contest for Ogun governorship seat- Akinlade advises Adebutu

Damilola Ajibola 

The deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, Hon Adekunle Akinlade, has advised Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, not to show interest in the governorship seat of the State till 2031, 2035 or 2039 elections.

Akinlade in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, said the parallel congresses held by the party, last Saturday, was  a conscious and deliberate line of action by all leaders and chieftains of the party  to say no to Adebutu’s strangulation of the party and 2027 ambition.

Akinlade, Adebutu and former chairman of the party, Hon Sikirullahi Ogundele, who was reelected again last Saturday as chairman of a faction, fell apart after the Supreme Court judgment that gave victory to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The deputy governorship candidate of the party in 2023, said the Chieftains had parallel ward and local government congresses some weeks ago, and are currently at the Federal High Court in Abeokuta.

He accused Adebutu of deploying  billions of naira to influence his aspiration at all levels, saying stakeholders in the party had resolved to put “Ogun state first”.

He said the stakeholders would fight to protect the party, insisting that the new State exco of the party would hit the ground running.

He said “The fact is that many of us in Ogun PDP are of the view that Hon. Ladi Adebutu should not and cannot run for the office of Ogun State governor in 2027”.

“We are aware that Hon. Ladi Adebutu is deploying billions of naira 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”, he stated. 

While analysing the political climate of the State, Akinlade said “There is no way the incumbent governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who is from Iperu in Ikenne LG of Ogun State will be completing his 8 years term in 2027 God’s willing, and another self entitled Iperu man will want to be governor in 2027. 

“So, what happened today is a conscious and deliberate line of action by all us to say no to Hon. Ladi Adebutu 2027 ambition. He can run in 2031, 2035 or 2039!! Definitely not 2027”.

“We had parallel Ward and LG congresses just weeks back, and we in court at FHC Abeokuta on that. We had a very successful State Congress today 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.”