Ogun State Political Battle: PDP and APC Clash Over Roots, Security Incidents, and Campaign Freedom.
Ogun State Political Battle: PDP and APC Clash Over Roots, Security Incidents, and Campaign Freedom.
Ogun State’s political landscape is heating up as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, publicly challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, to sue him over allegations concerning Adeola’s ancestral origins. Adebutu made the call on Wednesday during a campaign rally in Odogbolu Local Government Area, amid escalating tensions over the claims.
The controversy erupted after Adeola threatened legal action against PDP members Folake Marcus-Bello and Abayomi Hunye over allegations that he is not an indigene of Ogun State. Adeola demanded that the individuals produce evidence within 24 hours or face legal consequences, dismissing the claims as false and libellous.
In response, Adebutu confidently declared his Ogun State roots, asserting, “My mother is from Odogbolu, and my father, Sir Kensington Adebutu, is from Iperu. There is no controversy about my origin.” He further challenged Adeola to sue him in court, promising to present documentation to prove his claims. “I am waiting for their lawyer’s letter so we can show the world the truth,” Adebutu said, criticizing Adeola for allegedly threatening to sue on baseless grounds.
The PDP candidate also accused the APC-led government of attempting to hinder his party’s campaign activities. He claimed that the party’s posters had been vandalized or removed across the state and that their planned campaign rally in Idowa was thwarted, forcing a relocation to Odogbolu. Despite these restrictions, Adebutu emphasized that his campaign would continue unabated. He also alleged that his convoy was fired upon, though the APC later disputed this account, alleging that security personnel attached to Adebutu were responsible for the gunfire in Ososa, his hometown.
In response to the incident, APC’s Publicity Secretary, Femi Nuberu, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to investigate the shooting. Nuberu expressed concern over security personnel’s reckless discharge of firearms, which he said could incite fear among residents. He urged law enforcement to establish the facts and hold accountable anyone found to have acted unlawfully. Nuberu also urged all political actors to exercise restraint and conduct their campaigns peacefully.
Amid the controversy, Adebutu used the rally to criticize the incumbent APC government, promising to prioritize local government autonomy, pensioners’ gratuities, and workers’ cooperative savings if elected. He also called on residents to support PDP in the 2027 elections. Former APC member and current PDP supporter, John Obafemi, also campaigned for Adebutu, urging voters to support the PDP candidate.
Meanwhile, Folake Marcus-Bello reaffirmed her stance on Adeola’s ancestry, promising to reveal more evidence in the coming weeks. Attempts to reach Adeola for comment have so far been unsuccessful, as calls and messages to his media aide went unanswered. The political battle in Ogun State continues to intensify, with both sides calling for calm and emphasizing the importance of lawful campaigning.
