Recent reports suggest that Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State, is allegedly behind the ongoing crisis within the Ogun State People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which has led to the emergence of parallel congresses and executive factions within the party.
According to reliable sources, the governor is alleged to be orchestrating these disruptions through the involvement of Sikirulahi Ogundele and Hon. Abdulkabir Akinlade, the former deputy governorship candidate. This crisis became evident during the recent PDP Congress, where it appears Governor Abiodun’s actions have been a driving force.
Before the congress, a meeting reportedly took place at Governor Abiodun’s residence in Lagos, attended by Hon. Sikiru Ogundele, the immediate past chairman of the party, Hon. Abdulkabir Akinlade, and the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi. During this meeting, it was allegedly agreed to pursue legal action, with the understanding that the governor would fund the lawyers supporting their case. Reports claim that Governor Abiodun provided $100,000 to Hon. Adekunle Akinlade (Triple A) and Hon. Sikiru Ogundele to undermine Ladi Adebutu’s influence over the party’s congress and prevent him from contesting the governorship in 2027. Dr. Toyin Taiwo, the Deputy Chief of Staff in Ogun State, was reportedly tasked with coordinating these efforts.
Further evidence of this new alliance emerged in a recent interview with Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade on OGTV News, where he appeared to praise Governor Abiodun’s achievements, allegedly scripted by the governor’s aides. This is viewed as a strategy to weaken the opposition and ensure that the Yewa extraction does not claim the governorship, paving the way for Governor Abiodun to install a preferred candidate in 2027. Some political pundits see this as part of a broader plan to undermine the longstanding aspirations of the Yewa people to govern the state.
Additionally, it is alleged that Governor Abiodun has engaged prominent Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to address the legal challenges stemming from the Ogun PDP Congress through his allies. During the meeting, the governor reportedly mentioned that he had already discussed this situation with the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to strategize on preventing Ladi Adebutu from gaining control of the party’s structure or becoming its candidate. He assured his allies that he has influence over the judiciary in Ogun State, which may lead to rulings favoring their faction.
Meanwhile, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, the PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 election, has also begun to take steps to counter these actions. He is reportedly working diligently with his legal team to ensure that the congress organized by his faction is upheld in court, allowing him to maintain his relevance and candidacy leading up to 2027.
As these political maneuvers unfold, all eyes are on Governor Abiodun’s next steps. The people of Ogun State are watching closely, and it remains to be seen how this situation will develop in the coming days.
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