Ogun: Abiodun and Adebutu Renew Animosity, Exchange Brickbats Over Government Performance

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and his rival from the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial election, Ladi Adebutu, have exchanged sharp criticisms over the performance of the current administration over the past five years.

Abiodun and Adebutu, both from Iperu-Remo, are divided by their political ambitions.

In the last election, Abiodun was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with 276,298 votes, defeating Adebutu who garnered 262,383 votes. However, Adebutu challenged the results, alleging malpractices, but his appeals were rejected by the Ogun State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court, all of which upheld Abiodun’s victory.

One year into Abiodun’s second term, the two resumed their verbal conflict. Adebutu criticized Abiodun’s infrastructural projects, comparing them unfavorably to those in Oyo State and expressing shame at being from the same hometown as Abiodun.

In response, during his 64th Birthday and 5th year thanksgiving service in Abeokuta, Abiodun subtly dismissed Adebutu’s criticisms, suggesting that they were the complaints of someone seeking attention.

Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, issued a stronger rebuttal, describing Adebutu as an indolent individual lacking the capacity to assess Abiodun’s performance. Akinmade advised Adebutu to focus on his criminal case in court.

Adebutu, through his media aide Afolabi Orekoya, retorted by highlighting Abiodun’s past benefits from his family’s wealth, while political observers suggest that these exchanges indicate a contentious lead-up to the next governorship election in Ogun State.