Ogun 2027: Ally of Adebutu hits back at APC leader for remarks about PDP

Mr Afolabi Orekoya, media aide to the Peoples Democratic Party's 2027 governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has rejected claims by All Progressives Congress chieftain Kayode Oladele that the PDP has lost relevance in the state, viewing the assertion as a sign of the ruling party's desperation to impose itself on the state's people in next year's election.

n

Orekoya deemed it uncharitable and mere propaganda for Oladele to assert that the opposition party is no longer the people's choice, wondering when Oladele became the spokesperson for Ogun State's residents.

n

Adebutu's spokesperson made these comments in a statement on Friday, responding to Oladele's recent remark that the PDP's protracted internal leadership struggles have diminished its electoral value, making it no longer the party of choice ahead of the 2027 elections.

n

Oladele had stated on Thursday that years of internal divisions, leadership crises, and lack of coherent direction have weakened the PDP, while the APC has strengthened its position through "purposeful governance and measurable performance" at federal and state levels.

n

Orekoya, however, argued that Oladele lacks the authority to speak for the state's people, insisting that the PDP remains united and is gaining support ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

n

According to Orekoya, while the PDP has achieved stability and internal cohesion, the APC in Ogun State is battling internal crises and factional disagreements.

n

Orekoya described Oladele's media grandstanding as "laughable" and a "classic case of political delusion," stating that Oladele does not speak for the people of Ogun State and lacks the moral authority to dictate their political preferences.

n

The APC's internal democracy has deteriorated, Orekoya claimed, accusing the party of imposing candidates under the guise of consensus, and citing Sen Iyabo Obasanjo's recent resignation from the APC as evidence of the party's internal crisis.

n

Orekoya stated that the APC is "a house divided against itself, sustained only by state apparatus and political coercion," whereas the PDP has rebuilt its house and is now a unified, formidable force ready to rescue the state in 2027.

n

Orekoya also criticized the quality of projects executed by the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, accusing him of embarking on media-driven projects that fail to deliver lasting value.

n

Highlighting Adebutu's credentials, Orekoya described the PDP chieftain as a long-time investor in Ogun State, contributing to education, healthcare, security, and community development long before his political ambition.

n

Adebutu has donated over 700 electricity transformers to communities across the state's 20 local government areas and provided food support to residents during the COVID-19 lockdown, Orekoya claimed.

n

Orekoya further claimed that Adebutu's agricultural businesses employ over 2,000 workers in Ogun State, and described Adebutu as someone who has "lived, invested and breathed the air of Ogun State with his people all his life" after his schooling.

n

Orekoya maintained that Ogun State has enough qualified indigenes to govern the state, stating "we are not in the business of importing political proxies or carpetbaggers from Ekiti or Lagos to come and govern us."

n

Orekoya expressed confidence that the support the PDP enjoyed during the 2023 governorship election would translate into victory in the 2027 poll, citing the "overwhelming support" the people of Ogun State have for Adebutu.

n

The popular mandate from the 2023 general elections will be repeated "even more decisively" in 2027, Orekoya added.