Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Sikirullai Ogundele, on Thursday, blamed the party’s candidate, Ladi Adebutu, for the opposition party’s defeat during the 2023 governorship election in the state.
Ogundele accused Adebutu of high-handedness and disregard for party leadership.
He spoke while addressing members and leaders of the party during a meeting held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital ahead of the party congress.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress was declared winner of the March 18 election after polling 276,298 votes against Adebutu who had 262,38 votes.
But, PDP and Adebutu dragged Abiodun and APC before the Tribunal, alleging that the governor did not win the majority of votes cast during the March 18 governorship election.
Adebutu alleged that elections were disrupted by thugs in over 99 polling units, disenfranchising over 40,000 voters from participating in the election.
Adebutu, however, lost the legal battle from the tribunal up to the supreme court as Abiodun’s return as the winner of March 18 election was upheld by the court.
Speaking on Thursday, Ogundele blamed Adebutu for PDP’s defeat in 2019 and 2023 governorship elections.
He also accused him of pocketing the PDP structure in the state due to his financial war chest.
Ogundele said “The reason why we are not in power today is because of Hon. Ladi Adebutu. 90 percent of the reason why we are not in government today was caused by Hon. Ladi Adebutu and this is because of his high-handedness, he does not listen to anybody’s advice.
“Adebutu has been the major reason why the party has been failing since 2019 election. I don’t think Adebutu himself is interested in becoming the governor.”
Ogundele vowed to rescue the party’s structure from Adebutu, insisting that PDP is not anybody’s personal property.
He said, PDP must be seen and run as a political that is fair and just to every member irrespective of their financial status or position.
Reacting, Adebutu dismissed the accusations, saying Ogundele “is crying foul due to his personal gains and enterprise.”
Speaking through his Media Aide, Afolabi Orekoya, Adebutu said, “The chairman is just on his own. Out of 57 state executive council members, if it is only the chairman that is alone 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 own personal thinking.
“Was it Adebutu who went to disrupt or cause violence at Sagamu where elections were destroyed? Was it Adebutu that gave the judgements at the courts? He is crying foul because of his personal gain and enterprise, we are not perturbed and we are not surprised.”
