By Milcah Tanimu

Tensions in the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Thursday as the state chairman, Sikirullai Ogundele, attributed the party’s defeat in the 2023 elections to gubernatorial candidate Hon. Ladi Adebutu.

Ogundele accused Adebutu of displaying authoritarian behavior, ignoring party leadership, and rejecting advice, which he claimed significantly contributed to the party’s failure to secure power in the state.

Despite pleas from influential figures like former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and former president Olusegun Obasanjo to include former governor Gbenga Daniel on the ballot, Ogundele lamented that Adebutu remained obstinate.

“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,” Ogundele asserted.

He further stated that Atiku and Obasanjo had both implored Adebutu to reconsider, but to no avail.

In response, Ogundele vowed to reclaim the party’s integrity from Adebutu’s influence, stressing that the PDP should operate democratically without being subject to any individual’s control.

Additionally, the deputy governorship candidate of the party in the 2023 election, Adekunle Akinlade, emphasized the need for party repositioning to defeat the ruling party in 2027.

However, Adebutu dismissed Ogundele’s accusations as selfish and self-serving, refusing to engage in further debate.

“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,” Adebutu’s spokesman, Afolabi Orekoya, stated.

He refuted the allegations, pointing out that Adebutu was not responsible for disruptions or violence during the elections and suggested that Ogundele’s motivations were driven by personal interests rather than genuine concern for the party.