* says Omission is a Temporary Distraction
The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, on Monday assured party faithful that he would be back on the ballot to contest the coming general elections.
Adebutu said his current ordeal would be a blessing in disguise when he eventually return on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) list.
He described omission of his name from the INEC list of governorship candidates as a temporary distraction, insisting that the development would not derail his ambition ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The PDP candidate spoke while receiving over 1,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who defected to the PDP at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta, the State capital.
The decampees, led by Hon. Segun William, were received by Adebutu and other PDP leaders, including the Ogun Central Senatorial candidate, Iyabo Obasanjo, amid renewed political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adebutu, who expressed confidence that the controversy surrounding his omission from the INEC list would eventually be resolved, maintained that he remained a bona fide member of the PDP, having contested elections under the party’s platform for the past 20 years.
He challenged those questioning his membership of the party to produce evidence of when he allegedly defected, insisting that he had never visited the APC secretariat, let alone joined the ruling party.
According to him, the PDP would continue its mobilisation across the state despite the alleged attempts to frustrate its activities.
“I have been the candidate of PDP for the last 20 years, every election cycle. My question is: at what stage did I leave or vacate the party? Where is the proof that for one day I have even visited the APC office, for that matter?
“I was actively involved in organising and financing the recent PDP membership registration exercise in the state, during which over 19,800 members were registered, my registration number was 1536.
“The controversy surrounding my name on the INEC list as an attempt to distract the opposition and disenfranchise voters, but I am assuring our supporters that this party will not lose focus,” Abutu said.
“We have visited 12 of the 20 local governments. Of the 236 wards, we have visited over 140 now. Tomorrow again we continue, because we know that the trick is to get us distracted. We will not be distracted. We keep our eyes on the ball and we shall win,” Adebutu declared.
He assured party faithful, ” I will be back on the ballot. We are use to it. When I am back. I will be a blessing in disguise”.
Speaking earlier, William, a former APC House of Representatives member, who led the defectors, said their decision to leave the APC was informed by their conviction that the ruling party had failed to uphold democratic principles and pursue the genuine development of Ogun State.
Recalling his entry into partisan politics in 2007, William disclosed that although friends and associates had advised him to join the PDP at the time, he eventually found himself in the APC.
He, however, said his experience in the ruling party had convinced him that it was time to seek a new political platform, adding that the defectors were determined to work for the progress of Ogun State under the PDP.
He declared that the APC was no longer a democratic platform capable of meeting the aspirations of its members and the people of the state.
He said, “We are seeking the progress of our dear Ogun State. My sincere appreciation goes first and foremost to our incoming governor, who has made this occasion possible, with the assistance of our deputy governor, our senator, the directors-general, party members, the party hierarchy and the state chairman”
He said he believed in the aspiration of Adebutu, assuring that many politicians will soon join him in the umbrella party.
Leave a comment