Ogun PDP Crisis: Akinlade urges Adebutu to wait until 2035 for governorship bid

Former Ogun State governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu and Adekunle Akinlade, have intensified the internal crisis within the party in the state.

On Saturday, Akinlade, the former deputy governorship candidate, advised Adebutu, the former governorship candidate, to wait until 2035 for a chance to become governor of the state.

This development followed as both PDP leaders held separate congresses in Abeokuta on Saturday.

Akinlade argued that since both Governor Dapo Abiodun and Adebutu hail from the same area, it would be unfair for Adebutu to contest in 2027, emphasizing that another region should be given the opportunity.

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 no 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.