Sikirullai Ogundele, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, blamed the party’s loss in the 2023 governorship election on Ladi Adebutu's alleged highhandedness.
Ogundele made these claims while addressing party members and leaders at a meeting in the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital before the party congress.
He accused Adebutu of causing the party's crisis, stating that the party lost its position due to Adebutu’s high-handedness and disregard for party leadership.
Ogundele said that Hon. Ladi Adebutu was the primary reason for the party's failure, claiming that about 90% of the reasons for their loss were caused by Adebutu's high-handedness, and that he does not heed any advice.
“Adebutu has been the major reason for the party's decline since the 2019 election. I don’t think Adebutu himself is interested in becoming the governor.
“Atiku pleaded with Adebutu twice to include OGD (former governor Gbenga Daniel) on the ballot, but he refused. If we had included OGD (Daniel) on the ballot, the party would have won many seats in the election.
However, he vowed to rescue the party’s structure from Adebutu, maintaining that the PDP is not anyone’s personal possession.
Ogundele emphasized the need for the PDP to be perceived and managed as a political party that is fair and just to every member, regardless of their financial status or position.
Adekunle Akinlade, the party's deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 election, also commented on the need to reposition the party for success in 2027.
Akinlade emphasized the necessity of repositioning the party in order to win or perform better in 2027, by making everyone feel welcome and comfortable within the party.
He stressed the importance of leaving the past behind and building a strong unity to face future challenges.
He also highlighted the importance of the party being more disciplined and for its leaders to have the right temperament and good character.
In response, Adebutu dismissed Ogundele’s outburst as a “foul cry from a man after his gains”.
Adebutu, speaking through his spokesman, Afolabi Orekoya, stated that he was unfazed by Ogundele’s accusations and would not engage in a dispute with him.
“The chairman is just on his own. Out of 57 state executive council members, if it is only the chairman who is saying that, then you know that there is more to it.
“We are not joining issues with him, he is the only one on that journey, he was the only state executive member that was at the meeting out of 57. That is to tell you that it is more of his thinking.
“Was it Adebutu that went to disrupt or cause violence at Sagamu where elections were destroyed? Was it Adebutu who gave the judgments at the courts?
“He (Ogundele) is upset because of his profit and business, we are not worried, and we are not surprised.”
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Sikirullai Ogundele, accused the party’s loss of the 2023 governorship election on the supposed highhandedness of its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu. Ogundele made the accusations while speaking to members and leaders of the party during a meeting held at the party’s […]
