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Tag: Hon Ladi Adebutu

  • Ogun Election Tribunal: Court admits Adebutu’s 8,000 documents

    Ogun Election Tribunal: Court admits Adebutu’s 8,000 documents

    The peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State in the last  election, Ladi Adebutu tendered 8,000 documents at the state election petition tribunal on Thursday.

    Adebutu had on Tuesday tendered the documents in court to have them admitted from the bar.

    But, the respondents requested that they inspect the documents before being admitted.

    However, the tribunal had given both the petitioners and the respondents Tuesday and Wednesday to scrutinize all undisputed documents and re-present same on Thursday.

    On Thursday, the petitioners, Gordy Uche, informed the tribunal that the respondents had inspected the documents as ordered.

    Speaking, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Remi Olatubora, confirmed that the documents were as released by the commission.

    In her words, counsel to Abiodun, Titilola Akinlawon, said the documents had been inspected, but the second respondent, Gov Dapo Abiodun, would reserve his objection to the admissibility of the documents till the final addresses.

    Likewise, lawyer to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Onyechi Ikpeazu, also said the party’s objections to some of the documents are reserved till the final addresses.

    Ruling, the Hamidu Kunaza-led tribunal admitted all the exhibits from the bar.

    “All documents are to be admitted from the bar and objections reserved till final addresses,” the tribunal ruled.

    Some of the documents admitted include 176-page BVAS reports; one certificate of compliance; an INEC receipt; Form EC8A – declaration of result from INEC; Form EC8D – summary of results from local governments; Form EC8Cs for the 20 LGAs; Form EC8Bs for Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Ado-Odo/Ota, Egbado North, Egbado South, Ewekoro, Ifo, Ijebu North, Ijebu North, Ijebu-Ode, Ikenne, Remo North, Odogbolu, Sagamu and others.

  • PDP Crisis: Wike, Makinde, others should exit the party – Adebutu

    PDP Crisis: Wike, Makinde, others should exit the party – Adebutu

    Embattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Hon. Ladi Adebutu has told  Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Rotimi Makinde of Oyo state and other aggrieved PDP governors who want National Chairman Iyiorchia Ayu out of the party to exit instead.

    The aggrived governors have insisted that they will not support the presidential candidate of the party unless Ayu resigns.

    They claimed that , Ayu had promised that he would resign his position if a northerner emerged as the presidential candidate of the PDP.

    After Atiku emerged winner of the PDP primary election held in May, Wike and his supporters have repeatedly asked Ayu to resign, even as efforts to pacify them were rebuffed.

    While addressing non-indigene residents in Ogun at a gathering in Abeokuta, Adebutu stated that those who could not abide by the decision of a party are free to leave or form their own party.

    The Ijebu born politician lambasted the G5 governors for causing rancour within the party.

    Adebutu said: “Unlike those that don’t understand that the party is supreme, that Iyorchia Ayu is our ‘oga,’ they don’t recognize that he has the power to hire and fire, we accept his leadership.

    “By the Supreme Court judgements severally pronounced, those that don’t like your party has a few choices, they can either abide, go and form their own party or get out! We have chosen to abide by and obey Ayu’s dictates.

    “We agree he is our chairman. We agree that Hon. Sikirulahi Ogundele is our leader in Ogun and he is representing Iyorchia Ayu. We agree to submit ourselves to the National Working Committee of the party. Those that don’t abide should go and form their own party.”

    Addressing Igbo, Hausa, Igede, Ijaw, Idoma and others who were out to declare support for Atiku and other PDP candidates, Adebutu maintained that Nigerians remain one big family regardless of tribe or religion.

    “We are one Nigeria because we are one family speaking different languages, but we are happy together. May we continue to live together as one family and be happy.

    “We are happy that we have somebody joining us together, His Excellency, Waziri Atiku Abubakar. It is not in dispute that he is our leader and we shall all work hard to make him the president of Nigeria. He is the unifier. We have a duty to do him proud and do ourselves proud. We must continue to promote his ideologies,” Adebutu said.

    Speaking on the crisis rocking the PDP in Ogun, the former lawmaker told the gathering that: “I want to reassure you that all the shenanigans of these naysayers, of these terrible human beings, have failed in their mission to disrupt our party. Let us stay united, don’t be distracted. They have a purpose to distract us. They have worked for their pay, they have worked for their purpose, they have done their job.”

    He added: “Let us be focused, in the next few weeks we will be free; and when we are free, we will continue our journey.”

    He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of failing to provide security, good governance and food for the masses.

    “The economy is failing every day, we are hungrier by the day, and they are weaponising poverty. They claim that the foreign exchange is crashing, therefore we have to buy things at more exorbitant prices and because of that, there is inflation. Our people are suffering from hunger, but I tell you, relief has come. Just hang in there for four months, in four months’ time, we shall get salvation, we shall get a renewal,” he said.

  • Despite being in PDP, I still remain loyal to Amosun – Akinlade

    Despite being in PDP, I still remain loyal to Amosun – Akinlade

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy governorship candidate, Hon Adekunle Akinlade, has once again committed his political loyalty to former Ogun state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun’s political institution.

    Recall that Akinlade was the anointed candidate of Amosun during the 2019 gubernatorial election but contested under the Allied People’s Movement (APM) platform.

    Meanwhile, the former House of Representatives member returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the election and contested the 2023 governorship primary with Governor Dapo Abiodun but lost.

    After the primary, Akinlade dumped the APC for the PDP, alleging that the leadership of the party failed to allow a free and fair primary and to honour a sharing formula recommended by the party’s reconciliation committee.

    Akinlade later decamped to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and accepted to be running mate to Hon. Adebutu ahead of 2023 governorship elections.

    But, it appears Amosun was not pleased with Akinlade’s defection as the former governor is reportedly planning to sponsor another candidate in a new party.

    In a statement he signed on Saturday, Akinlade appreciated the people of Ogun and his fellow Amosun political family members for their understanding and patience on the issue, which he said had almost demystified their greatness in them in the last few weeks.

    While apologizing for what he called the seeming shortcomings on their part, the PDP candidate commended the people for their steadfastness and support over the years.

    He said, “My dear good people of Ogun State and most importantly, the SIA political family to which I owe my political attainments to date, I say thank you for your understanding and patience regarding unfolding in-house political events that have almost demystified the greatness in us in the last 5 weeks or so.

    “As leaders, I must sincerely apologize for the seeming shortcomings on our part, as I applaud your steadfastness, cooperation, and support over the years, without which none of us, be it leader or protégé, would be here today.

    “Meanwhile, one of the lessons that this unfortunate development has brought to light is that accumulation of material riches or political influence, regardless of how high, does not immune one from the fatal fate of a mortal.”

    Speaking further, Akinlade maintained that the primary focus of everyone must be on Ogun State and the way the collective heritage, wealth, and resources of the state are being managed in the past three years” “hence, the need to influence a change in the political architecture of this State come March 11th, 2023.”

    “our IGR has dropped astronomically, not because taxes are not paid, but for lack of responsive leadership. The level of insecurity across the state is alarming and scary because the perpetrators are practically being indulged for political patronage.”

    He said that the focus now should not be who leads what faction or what platform an individual chooses to actualize his political aspiration, but it should be the ability, resourcefulness, and courage of that individual to take a stand in the interest of all.

    He further explained that he and Adebutu have reviewed the present conditions of Ogun state and have resolved to redirect the direction through all-inclusive and purposeful governance when elected.

    “He (Adebutu) shall hold in trust and deploy your resources in line with the tenets of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the betterment of Ogun state.

    “His administration shall return power to the Local Government Areas and encourage self-development of elected officials at all levels. Unions shall be empowered, and recognized as partners in progress rather than tools as it is the case today. Community-oriented infrastructural development shall be implemented, unlike the present cosmetic “Yellow” roofs that adorn sketchy spots in the state.

    “All in all, regardless of the change of my political affiliation and convictions, I shall continue to honour those who saw in me the qualities and ability to speak truth to power.”

    Akinlade urged the people of Ogun state to remain steadfast and continue to pray for the state and the country as a whole.