On Thursday, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Sikirullai Ogundele, squarely attributed the party’s loss in the 2023 governorship election to the alleged authoritarian behavior of its candidate, Ladi Adebutu.
Ogundele leveled these accusations while addressing party members and leaders at a meeting convened at the party’s headquarters in Abeokuta, the state capital, in preparation for the upcoming party congress. He pointedly accused Adebutu of fomenting internal strife within the party, contending that Adebutu’s dictatorial tendencies and disregard for party hierarchy were key factors hindering the party’s electoral success.
“The primary reason we find ourselves out of power today is because of Hon. Ladi Adebutu. About 90 per cent of the obstacles preventing us from being in government can be traced back to Hon. Ladi Adebutu and his authoritarian approach. He simply refuses to heed counsel from anyone,” Ogundele declared.
“Adebutu has consistently been the driving force behind the party’s failures since the 2019 elections. Frankly, I doubt Adebutu’s genuine interest in pursuing the governorship. Atiku visited Abeokuta twice to implore Adebutu to endorse OGD (former governor Gbenga Daniel) as our candidate, but he adamantly refused. Had we supported OGD, the party would have secured numerous victories in the elections. Despite appeals from prominent figures like Obasanjo, Adebutu remained obstinate,” he continued.
However, Ogundele expressed determination to wrest control of the party’s apparatus from Adebutu, emphasizing that the PDP belonged to its members collectively and not to any individual.
Asserting the need for the PDP to operate as a fair and inclusive political entity, irrespective of members’ financial standing or position, Ogundele stressed, “We must ensure that the PDP is perceived and managed as a party that treats every member equitably and justly.”
In a similar vein, Adekunle Akinlade, the deputy governorship candidate of the party in the 2023 election, emphasized the imperative of repositioning the party to defeat the ruling party in 2027.
Akinlade stated, “To achieve victory or a marked improvement in 2027, we must overhaul this party. We must welcome all into our fold and foster an environment where every member feels valued. It’s time to put the past behind us, including the events of 2023, and unite to confront whatever challenges lie ahead.”
In response, Adebutu dismissed Ogundele’s accusations as baseless complaints stemming from personal interests. Through his spokesman, Afolabi Orekoya, Adebutu maintained that he remained unfazed by Ogundele’s allegations and declined to engage in a public exchange with him.
“The chairman is acting alone. If his sentiments are not echoed by the majority of the 57 state executive council members, then it’s evident there’s more to his claims. We won’t dignify his accusations with a response. His attendance alone at the meeting out of 57 executive members speaks volumes. Let’s not forget who caused the disruptions and violence in Sagamu during elections. Let’s not forget who influenced court rulings. Ogundele’s outcry is self-serving, and we won’t be swayed,” remarked Adebutu’s spokesman.
