Akinlade Accuses Adebutu of Betrayal and Anti-Party Activities in Ogun State Politics

Adekunle Akinlade, the deputy governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, has accused his former ally, Ladi Adebutu, of compromising the PDP’s prospects during the 2023 general elections for personal gain. Akinlade claims that Adebutu’s actions were detrimental to the party’s performance in the elections.

Akinlade alleged that Adebutu withheld critical campaign funds until the morning of the election, undermining the party’s efforts in mobilization. More strikingly, Akinlade accused Adebutu of engaging in anti-party activities in the 2019 general elections. According to Akinlade, Adebutu accepted a staggering N650 million in cash to support Akinlade’s candidacy in the Allied People’s Movement (APM) while still a member of the PDP. This move, Akinlade argues, was a significant factor in the PDP’s poor performance, where the party managed to secure only around 70,000 votes, placing fourth in the election.

In addition to these allegations, Akinlade criticized Adebutu’s leadership style, claiming that his high-handedness cost the PDP crucial victories in the 2023 elections. Akinlade pointed out that Adebutu’s refusal to allow former Governor Gbenga Daniel to contest the senatorial seat on the PDP platform led to the loss of three House of Representatives seats in Ogun East.

In response to these accusations, Afolabi Orekoya, Adebutu’s media aide, dismissed Akinlade’s claims, labeling him a “terrible ingrate.” Orekoya explained that the funds in question were used to mobilize the PDP during the 2019 elections and that the alliance with APM was not a clandestine anti-party activity but a public strategy to strengthen their electoral chances.

These accusations highlight the deep divisions and internal conflicts within the PDP in Ogun State, raising questions about the party’s unity and strategy in future elections. The ongoing tension between Akinlade and Adebutu could have lasting implications for the PDP’s political landscape in the region.