Adebutu emerges Ogun PDP governorship candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu as the winner of its governorship primary election in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 general election.

Adebutu, who was also the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 election, emerged as the consensus candidate during the primary held in Abeokuta on Sunday.

Earlier, PDP members across the 236 wards of the state participated in the affirmation process that produced Adebutu as the party’s flagbearer.
Chairman of the Governorship Primary Panel, Chief Afolabi Ariyo, officially declared Adebutu winner of the exercise through a voice vote.

“I, Afolabi Ariyo, Chairman of the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party Governorship Primary Panel, hereby declare that Hon. Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu is the winner and is returned as the consensus candidate,” he announced.

The event was attended by several national and South-West leaders of the PDP, including former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose.

Speaking at the event, Fayose congratulated Adebutu and party members, expressing optimism about the PDP’s chances in the 2027 governorship election.

“I will today congratulate you and congratulate my brother, our candidate, because God has given him and the good people of the PDP and Ogun State life to witness this day.

“What we saw outside this hall simply portends hope. Hope that reflects the readiness of the people to put Ladi Adebutu in the office of the Governor of Ogun State,” Fayose said.
The former governor added that Adebutu’s political journey was now firmly focused on the governorship seat.

“After today, Ladi Adebutu can only be Governor. He cannot be Deputy Governor. He cannot be Senator. He cannot be Councillor,” Fayose declared.

In his acceptance speech, Adebutu described his emergence as another historic moment for the party and thanked party leaders, executives, stakeholders and members for unanimously endorsing him as the PDP candidate.

“History has once again been made today with my emergence as the consensus governorship candidate of our great party under a united PDP,” he said.

The PDP candidate expressed confidence that the party would reclaim power in Ogun State in 2027, insisting that the election was “a must-win” for the opposition party.

Referring to the 2023 governorship election, Adebutu said he believed the PDP won the poll but was denied victory through manipulation.

“However, this time in 2027, I believe in God that your votes will count and will put me in office as your duly elected Governor,” he stated.

He urged party members to remain peaceful and united, stressing that unity and stability were essential to defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

According to him, Ogun State has remained under APC control for more than a decade despite its enormous human and natural resources.

“Our collective responsibility now should be focused on returning our party to the seat of power in Oke-Mosan in order to rescue our people from suffering and maladministration,” Adebutu added.

Earlier, the Ogun State PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, said the successful conduct of the primary demonstrated that the PDP remained strong, united and focused in the state.

He noted that the party had moved beyond its internal crises and legal disputes and appealed to members to continue working together to sustain stability and secure victory in the 2027 governorship election.

المصدر: Daily Trust (NG)