The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Mr Afolabi Orekoya, the media aide to the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2027 governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has sharply fired back at Kayode Oladele, an All Progressives Congress chieftain, over comments that the PDP has lost relevance in the state. Orekoya described Oladele's assertion as a reflection of the ruling party's 'desperation' to foist itself on the people of the state during next year's election. Orekoya said that it is uncharitable, mere bootlicking and cheap propaganda for Oladele to have said that the opposition party is no longer the choice of the people of the state and wondered when the APC chieftain became the spokesperson for the residents of the state. Orekoya further described Oladele's comments as a 'classic case of political delusion.'

Ogun 2027: Adebutu’s aide tackles APC chieftain over comments on PDP

Oladele had said that years of internal divisions, leadership crises and the absence of a coherent political direction have diminished the PDP’s standing, while the APC has continued to strengthen its position through what he described as 'purposeful governance and measurable performance at both the federal and state levels'. But Orekoya said that the APC has internal crises and factional disagreements, with the recent resignation of Sen Iyabo Obasanjo from the APC as evidence of the party's internal crisis. He said, “The APC is a house divided against itself, sustained only by state apparatus and political coercion, whereas the PDP has systematically rebuilt its house, aligning as a unified, formidable force ready to rescue the state in 2027,” he stated. Orekoya also criticized the quality of projects allegedly being executed by the APC governorship candidate for the state, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, accusing the lawmaker of embarking on media-driven projects that failed to deliver lasting value. Highlighting Adebutu's credentials, Orekoya described the PDP chieftain as a long-time investor in Ogun State whose contributions to education, healthcare, security and community development predated his political ambition. Orekoya claimed that Adebutu had donated more than 700 electricity transformers to communities across the state's 20 local government areas, while also providing food support to residents during the COVID-19 lockdown. He said, “Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu has lived, invested and breathed the air of Ogun State with his people all his life after his schooling. He is not a political tourist or a seasonal visitor.” Orekoya expressed confidence that the support the PDP enjoyed during the 2023 governorship election would translate into victory in the 2027 poll. “The overwhelming support the people of Ogun State have for Hon. Ladi Adebutu was made resoundingly clear during the 2023 general elections, and that popular mandate will be repeated even more decisively in 2027,” he added.