APC Leader and PDP at Odds Over Adebutu as Ogun Governorship Candidate

A former Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Kayode Oladele, who is also a member of the All Progressives Congress, has criticized the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party. This criticism comes after the PDP decided to choose Oladipupo Adebutu as its governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

Oladele said the choice of Adebutu, who is from Iperu-Remo, the same hometown as Governor Dapo Abiodun, is politically insensitive.

In a statement on Sunday, the ex-federal lawmaker pointed out that it would be hard to convince Ogun residents to vote for another person from Iperu after Governor Abiodun's eight-year term ends.

He stated, "Another Iperu man cannot succeed an Iperu man. Ogun people believe in fairness, equity and justice. After eight years of Governor Dapo Abiodun, who is from Iperu, no serious political party that truly understands the mood of the people would present another indigene of the same town as its governorship candidate."

Oladele called the PDP’s choice a political error that could hurt the party’s chances in the 2027 election.

He accused the opposition party of ignoring the ongoing demand from the people of Ogun West Senatorial District to have their turn in producing the state’s governor.

According to him, Ogun West is the only senatorial district that has not had a democratically elected governor since Ogun State was created.

He mentioned that the APC's governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, known as Yayi, offers a chance to fix what he called a long-standing political unfairness.

Oladele said, "Though Senator Adeola’s candidature is essentially about competence and popularity, it also represents an opportunity for Ogun State to correct a long-standing political imbalance."

He added, "Ogun West has remained the only senatorial district that has not produced a governor in the history of the state. Supporting his aspiration is therefore consistent with the principles of fairness, equity and inclusive governance."

He further pointed out that Adeola is well accepted across the three senatorial districts due to his performance and empowerment programs.

"Apart from being the most qualified and unarguably the most popular candidate in the race, Senator Adeola Yayi enjoys massive support across the three senatorial districts because of his impressive record of performance, people-oriented projects and unprecedented empowerment programmes."

He concluded, "His nomination reflects both merit and the legitimate yearning of Ogun West for equitable participation in the leadership of the state."

Oladele expressed his belief that the APC would keep power in Ogun State. He called on party members to work harder to reach out to people ahead of the election.

He also asked residents to support President Bola Tinubu’s second term, saying that continuity at both the federal and state levels would help speed up development.

In response, the PDP dismissed Oladele’s comments. The party insisted that picking its governorship candidate is an internal matter.

The PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adebayo, said it is not Oladele’s place to tell the PDP where to find its candidate, as long as the process follows the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

Adebayo stated that all political parties should present their strongest candidates in elections. This was why the PDP chose Adebutu.

"How can a party be dictated to as regards who becomes its governorship candidate or where its candidate comes from? Candidates should emerge through a process that conforms with the party’s constitution, the national constitution and the Electoral Act as passed by the National Assembly."

He urged Oladele to focus on the APC instead of getting involved in PDP’s internal issues, accusing the ruling party of losing support due to poor governance.

Adebayo also rejected claims that the PDP is insensitive to Ogun West's desire to have its governor.

He said, "The only political party that has ever supported the aspirations of Ogun West is the PDP. In 2011, late General Adetunji Olurin was sponsored by the PDP, while in 2019, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade was supported by Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu while contesting on the platform of the APM."

He concluded, "It is therefore not correct to say that the PDP has not supported the aspirations of the Ogun West people. In any election, a serious political party will present its best candidate for any office in order to serve the people through good governance. That is why Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu is being presented by the PDP for the governorship election in the 2027 general election."