Akinlade Rejects Adebutu’s Grip on Ogun PDP Over 2027 Ambition

Akinlade opposes Adebutu’s influence over Ogun PDP, calling it a strangulation of the party in pursuit of a 2027 ambition.

Adekunle Akinlade, the Deputy Governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun’s 2023 governorship election, stated that the party does not endorse Ladi Adebutu’s ambition for 2027.

Adebutu and Akinlade ran together on a joint ticket in the March 18, 2023 election but were defeated by the incumbent, APC’s Dapo Abiodun.

According to OBASANJONEWS, although Adebutu has not publicly declared his intention to seek re-election, the two political leaders have been deeply divided over the upcoming election.

After the congress, Akinlade—commonly known as Triple A—addressed journalists. He mentioned that a parallel congress had taken place on Saturday and asserted that it was an intentional and strategic move to thwart Adebutu’s 2027 aspirations.

Read Also: Renewed animosity and brickbats between Abiodun and Adebutu in Ogun over government performance

Akinlade argued that Adebutu, who comes from the same Ikenne Local Government area as Governor Dapo Abiodun, should not run for re-election in 2027.

He stated, “We recognize that Honorable Ladi Adebutu is investing billions to advance his ambitions at all levels. However, as stakeholders in Ogun PDP—including myself; Honorable Sikirula Ogundele who was elected State Chairman at today’s state congress; Otunba Jimi Lawal; and Honorable Dimeji Fabiyi—alongside hundreds of our party leaders across the state have committed to prioritizing the interests of Ogun state.”

“There is no way the incumbent governor, H.E Prince Dapo Abiodun from Iperu in Ikene LG of Ogun State will complete his 8-year term in 2027, God willing, only for another self-entitled man from Iperu to seek the governorship immediately afterward.”

What happened today is a conscious and deliberate action by all of us to oppose Hon. Ladi Adebutu’s 2027 ambition. He can run in 2031, 2035, or even 2029—but certainly not in 2027.

“Just a few weeks ago, we held concurrent Ward and LG congresses and even addressed the matter in court at FHC Abeokuta. Today, on September 28th, 2024, our State Congress concluded very successfully.”