A Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party in Ogun State, Adekunle Akinlade, on Saturday, told the former governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, to forget his 2027 ambition, saying he can only re-contest in 2031 or 2035.
Akinlade and Adebutu ran on a joint ticket in 2023 governorship election but lost to Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Shortly after the election, the two leaders fell apart over the 2027 governorship race.
On Saturday, the two factions of the opposition party elected separate chairmen at the parallel congress in Abeokuta, the state capital.
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In a statement, Akinlade pointed out that the parallel congress was “a conscious and deliberate line of action by all of us to say no to Hon. Ladi Adebutu 2027 ambition.
“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.
“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.”
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