The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has dismissed his omission from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) list of governorship candidates as a temporary setback, insisting that it will not stop him from contesting the 2027 election.
Adebutu spoke on Monday in Abeokuta while welcoming more than 1,000 defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) into the PDP at the party’s state secretariat.
The defectors were led by a former member of the House of Representatives, Segun William, and received by Adebutu alongside other prominent party figures, including the PDP’s Ogun Central senatorial candidate, Iyabo Obasanjo.
Addressing the gathering, Adebutu expressed confidence that the controversy surrounding his absence from INEC’s list would be resolved, maintaining that he had neither resigned from nor defected from the opposition party.
He cited his two-decade political association with the PDP, arguing that his participation in successive elections under its platform demonstrated his continued loyalty.
The former governorship candidate challenged those questioning his membership to provide evidence that he had ever left the party.
“I have been the candidate of the PDP for the last 20 years, in 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, let alone joined the party?” he asked.
Adebutu also disclosed that he participated in organising and funding the party’s recent membership registration exercise in Ogun State, which he said attracted more than 19,800 members.
He said he personally registered under number 1536, describing it as further evidence of his continued membership of the PDP.
The politician alleged that the controversy surrounding his omission from the INEC list was intended to distract the opposition and discourage voter participation.
However, he urged party supporters to remain focused, assuring them that the development would not disrupt the PDP’s mobilisation activities across the state.
Providing an update on the party’s grassroots campaign, Adebutu said his team had visited 12 of Ogun State’s 20 local government areas and more than 140 of its 236 wards.
He maintained that the mobilisation exercise would continue despite what he described as attempts to divert the party’s attention.
“We have visited 12 of the 20 local governments. Of the 236 wards, we have visited over 140. Tomorrow, we continue again because we know that the trick is to get us distracted. We will not be distracted. We will keep our eyes on the ball, and we shall win,” he said.
Former APC Lawmaker Explains Defection
Earlier, William said the decision by the defectors to leave the APC was driven by dissatisfaction with the party’s style of governance, its commitment to democratic principles and its performance in delivering development in Ogun State.
Tracing his political journey, the former lawmaker said he joined partisan politics in 2007 before eventually becoming a member of the APC.
He explained that although friends and associates had previously advised him to align with the PDP, he chose the ruling party at the time.
However, William said his experience within the APC had convinced him that the party no longer represented the democratic values and developmental aspirations he considered important.
He added that the defectors chose the PDP because they believed it provided a better platform to contribute to the political and socio-economic development of Ogun State.
William also accused the APC of becoming increasingly unable to accommodate the democratic expectations of its members and the wider population.
“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.
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