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The Flagbearer of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in the Ogun 2023 gubernatorial race, Hon. Ladi Adebutu has vowed to take back the mandate stolen from him and the party in the 2019 elections.
The former lawmaker said the Ogun governorship seat which should have been his and the PDP was fraudulently denied in the previous election
Adebutu taking a que from the APC Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s outburst in Abeokuta, said the governorship position was given to ‘Eleyi’ referring to the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun.
While speaking at the public presentation of his PDP governorship certificate which had earlier been presented to him by the national executives, Adebutu said it is time to recover the mandate that was stolen.
He said those who brought the governor to power and those that left the part now admit that the governor has underperformed.
In his words, “It only behooves us that PDP should be recognized as the fountain of hope for Nigeria. This is the fountain that can bring development to this state. We told them, they didn’t hear that is why we are telling you know we will pursue, meet and recover.
“Four years ago, they thought they did us bad, they snatched it and gave ‘Eleyi’. When they confessed that it was snatched and given to Eleyi. What can he do with the position? They saw that he can do nothing with the position; he spoilt the school system, he spoilt hospital, spoilt the roads,
“They have said it all, those who went astray are returning by themselves. If we see anyone that is angry, I beg you, don’t commit suicide because of me.
“Ladi is not fighting anyone, we are all PDP, we all own this secretariat and this secretariat has no key. It is right to wrestle for something. A good home will have many children fighting to be king but when a king is pronounced, others will accept. I am the next, let me do it, it is my turn. It will be someone else’s turn when I’m done.”
He promised to work with those who had contested but lost the election adding that there is enough room for everyone.
The governorship hopeful has mandated a reconciliation meeting with all those who lost in the party primaries.
“This work is plenty, we need a larger family to win. There is space for those that have participated, they are not a minus, we need them. We will call an emergency meeting with all aspirants on Monday. We will reconcile with everybody that bought the form, we will appeal to them to the best of our ability and the family shall continue,” he added.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of PDP in the State, Sikirulai Ogundele, represented by the Ogun East Senatorial PDP Chairman, Arch. Kayode Adebayo said Adebutu’s emergence deserves thanksgiving.
He however called on party members to unite and be disciplined for party building.
“If you know where we are coming from, you will know that today is a day of thanksgiving. We have been on this since 2011 and Ladi Adebutu has volunteered all that he has to support the party for the last seven years.
“We lack discipline and that must be restored. We need to come together irrespective of your position and be a party worker, be part of the [party building. Your offices have no meaning until we are in government, it is then that somebody like myself can boldly say that I am the chairman of a sitting senator.”
