Ogun APC Unfazed By Adebutu, PDP’S Political Woes, Says Opposition Must Put Its House In Order,
….Adebutu’s absence from INEC’s updated list exposes consequences of PDP’s self-inflicted crisis
–Akeem Akilo
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has declared that the party remains unfazed by the political ambition of former governorship candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, and the activities of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that the opposition party must first resolve its internal leadership crisis before seeking the mandate of Ogun residents.
A member of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Ogun APC Campaign Council, and media aide of the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Alhaji (Comrade) Akeem Temitope Akilo, made this position known while reacting to the continued exclusion of Adebutu and his running mate from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) updated final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 governorship election.
Akilo described the development as another significant political setback for the Ogun PDP, arguing that the situation reflects the consequences of unresolved internal disagreements and administrative challenges within the opposition party.
He noted that INEC’s updated list, published on October 31, 2026, retained the exclusion of Adebutu and his running mate despite the review of petitions submitted by affected candidates and political parties.
According to him, the commission’s reported rejection of the petition seeking reconsideration of Adebutu’s exclusion, while approving certain other petitions, including that of the PDP candidate in Gombe State, raises further questions about the circumstances surrounding the Ogun PDP’s governorship ticket.
Akilo maintained that the development was a matter reflected in INEC’s published records and not an allegation manufactured by the ruling party for political advantage.
He questioned how the Ogun PDP intended to convince the electorate of its readiness to govern the state when it was still grappling with issues surrounding its leadership, membership documentation and governorship candidature.
Akilo attributed the opposition party’s predicament partly to the prolonged leadership struggle within the PDP at the national level, particularly the divisions involving the faction associated with Tanimu Turaki and the bloc aligned with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
He argued that rather than concentrating on building a formidable opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections, the PDP had expended considerable political energy on internal power struggles, leadership disagreements and questions surrounding the legitimacy of its organisational structure.
He further observed that Adebutu’s alignment with the Turaki-led faction had become a subject of political discussion amid the lingering disagreements over the control and recognition of the party’s national leadership.
According to Akilo, the consequences of unresolved national disputes are increasingly becoming evident in state chapters, with Ogun PDP facing the political implications of the party’s wider internal crisis.
“You cannot build a winning political movement on a fractured foundation. You cannot demand public confidence when your own political house is struggling to agree on who controls its roof,” he stated.
The APC chieftain also cautioned the Ogun PDP against attempting to transfer responsibility for its internal challenges to the ruling party.
He questioned why the APC should be blamed for matters relating to the PDP’s membership records, internal administration, primary elections and compliance with electoral requirements.
Akilo insisted that political parties must take responsibility for their internal processes, stressing that electoral procedures are governed by established laws and verifiable documentation rather than political sentiments, media campaigns or the numerical strength of supporters.
He added that any aggrieved candidate or political camp that considers INEC’s decision unjustified should explore the appropriate legal channels rather than resorting to political accusations without credible evidence.
He maintained that the APC should not be expected to answer for decisions and administrative arrangements that fall exclusively within the PDP’s responsibility.
Akilo urged the ruling party not to allow the opposition’s internal disputes to distract it from strengthening its political structures, consolidating grassroots mobilisation and communicating its achievements to the people of Ogun State.
He noted that Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, FCA, popularly known as Yayi, appears on INEC’s official list as the APC governorship candidate, giving the party a clear electoral direction ahead of the 2027 contest.
According to him, the APC remains focused, united and strategically positioned for the forthcoming election.
He stressed that the responsibility of a serious opposition party should be to present credible alternatives and engage the electorate on critical issues such as economic development, infrastructure, employment, education, healthcare and citizens’ welfare, rather than remain trapped in internal political warfare.
Reiterating the ruling party’s position, Akilo declared that the APC was not intimidated by Adebutu’s political ambition or the activities of the PDP, adding that the ruling party would have no reason to be unhappy watching the opposition struggle with the consequences of its internal political decisions.
He argued that an opposition party unable to resolve its internal disagreements would find it difficult to convince the electorate that it possesses the organisational discipline and political capacity required to govern an entire state.
“Let it be clearly understood: the APC is not afraid of Ladi Adebutu. The APC does not need to manufacture fear of a political opponent to demonstrate its readiness for an election.
“However, there is no reason why the APC should be unhappy watching the PDP struggle with the consequences of its own political decisions,” he declared.
He added that Adebutu’s political ambition should not supersede the rules and institutional processes governing political parties and electoral contests.
Akilo concluded that the February 6, 2027 governorship election should be about the future of Ogun State and the ability of political parties to present credible candidates through credible processes, not an avenue for settling factional disputes within the PDP.
He maintained that Ogun State’s political future was bigger than any individual or party’s internal crisis, stressing that the ultimate decision would rest with the electorate.
“Ogun State is bigger than Ladi Adebutu. Ogun’s future is bigger than PDP’s factional crisis. And the 2027 governorship election will be decided by the people, not by the loudest political propaganda machine,” he added.
— Alhaji (Comrade) Akeem Temitope Akilo is a Member of the Media and Publicity Committee, Ogun APC Campaign Council.
