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Declares Intention To Contest
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What City People Found Out
The 2023 Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Hon. (Dr) Oladipupo Adebutu, has officially declared his intention to contest for the office of Ogun State Governor under the platform of the PDP in the 2027 general elections.
The declaration was conveyed in a formal letter addressed to the PDP leadership at both the state and local government levels made available to the press by his media aide, Afolabi Orekoya, last Friday.
The letter dated April 30, 2026, was directed to the Ogun State Chairman of the PDP through the party Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government chapter. In the correspondence, Adebutu expressed appreciation to party leaders and members for their continued support and loyalty, emphasising the need for unity and collective purpose as the party prepares for the forthcoming elections.
Adebutu, who previously flew the PDP’s flag in the last gubernatorial election, reiterated his commitment to the party’s ideals and his determination to offer purposeful leadership to the people of Ogun State. He highlighted his longstanding involvement in the party, noting his contributions and dedication to strengthening the PDP’s presence across the state.
Describing himself as a law-abiding citizen and loyal party member, Adebutu stated that his decision to once again seek the governorship position stems from a desire to build on past experiences and deliver impactful governance. He underscored the importance of continuity, people-centred policies, and inclusive development as key pillars of his vision.
The PDP chieftain also called on party stakeholders to remain united and focused, stressing that internal cohesion would be critical to the party’s success at the polls. He assured members of his willingness to collaborate with all factions within the party to achieve a common goal.
Adebutu, the last Ogun PDP governorship candidate came 2nd the last time and he is coming back again on the platform of PDP.
His brilliant performance last time has buoyed his resolve to run again and he believes that this time around he will win. What will further make it easy for him is the fact that Gov. Dapo Abiodun is not on the ballot. The only strong aspirant he will have contend with is Senator Olamilekan (Yayi), the current Ogun West Senator.
City People can authoritatively reveal that Adebutu has intensified consultations with stakeholders across the state. He has strong links with Ogun Central and he last links with Iperu and Odogbolu.
He has been going round telling them his plans. He is from Iperu Remo in Ogun State, via his dad’s roots. He is also linked to Odogbolu also in Ijebu-Remo, via his num’s root.
City People gathered that Ladi would likely come out for governorship from Odogbolu in the Ijebu area and to pick a deputy from the Egba stock. That has always been the working calculation. Insiders say this will neutralise Yayi’s Yewa Agenda. Lado feels he can neutralise Yayi in Ogun Central and Ogun East and split Ogun West votes. It means votes from both Ijebu and Egba will neutralise votes from Yayi’s Yewa alone.
There are those who say going by Ladi’s remarkable performance at the 2023 governorship elections and losing by a narrow margin, his decision to take another shot will give him a better chance this time around.
Political analysts say that because the incumbent governor is from Iperu, it will not be politically correct for Ladi to also come out from there. So Odogbolu looks good.
We hear Hon. Ladi already has the backing of many political bigwigs in both the APC and PDP.
Going by the results of the last elections, Ladi made a great showing in the 3 senatorial zones and his supporters insist till today that Ladi remains the real winner of that election. They explained that but for the support he got from Senator Yayi, Abiodun would have lost out.
Lets tell you his intimate story. Born on 25 February 1962, Hon Lado is a popular politician from Ogun State. In 1992, at the age of 30, he won his seat in the National Assembly, where he represented the Remo Federal Constituency under the umbrella of the now-defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). He ran for Senate under the United National Congress Party (UNCP) in 1998 and the National Assembly in 2003, 2007, and 2011 as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu began his primary education at the International Day Nursery school, Yaba and went on to further his education at St. Saviours Primary School, Oke-Ira, Ebute-Metta and Igbobi College, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1978.
Adebutu completed his educational career in Ireland, where he obtained an Irish Leaving Certificate in 1980 and an Irish National Certificate in 1983. In 1984, he obtained an Irish National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry.
Adebutu returned to Nigeria in 1987 to serve his country under the National Youth Service Corps Scheme in Biu, Borno State. Despite his wealth, Adebutu lives in Iperu with his family, having all his assets in Ogun State without any traces of financial crimes. He is perceived by many as a grassroots politician and businessman.
Apart from his political career, his passion for Agriculture led him to establish Solomon Kessington Agro-Allied Limited, the largest pig farm, which focuses on the production of livestock feeds and other services. His passion for agriculture greatly influences his political career as he believes it is an important tool for food sustenance and security.
In 2007, Adebutu was appointed as Commissioner II in Ogun State. He was upgraded to Commissioner I where he worked towards the training and upgrading of local government officers in the Local Government Service Commission.
In 2015, during the general elections, Ladi Adebutu was elected into the National Assembly to represent the interests of the Remo, Shagamu and Ikenne constituency. He held a position in the House Committee on Rural Development.
After the Ogun governorship results were announced, Ladi fought the candidate of the APC on the legitimacy of the second term given to Prince Dapo Abiodun at the Election Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta.
Adebutu insisted that what happened on March 18, 2023, was not an election but an electoral heist, as the current governor was accused of several crimes ranging from ineligibility to stand for election, over-voting, ballot snatching, intimidation, and illegal collusion with electoral officers to declare false results.
He wondered how a sitting and an alleged performing governor could have won an election with a miserly approximate 13,000 votes! Abiodun polled 276,298 votes, while Adebutu scored 262,383.
Why do many Ogun indigenes prefer Ladi Adebutu to be the next governor of the state if given the chance? Many spoke and told us their reasons.
One of them said, Ladi, as he is fondly called, has proven himself to be a seasoned politician with years of experience in public service. He served as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the people of Remo Federal Constituency in 1992. Then again in 2015, he was sent back to the National Assembly to represent the interests of the Remo, Shagamu, and Ikenne constituency. His knowledge and understanding of the political landscape in Ogun State make him well-equipped to lead as governor.
“Hob. Ladi Adebutu has consistently demonstrated a commitment to the development of Ogun State added another person. He has initiated and supported numerous projects aimed at improving the lives of the people, including infrastructure development, healthcare interventions, and educational programs. As Governor, Adebutu would prioritize the needs of the people and work towards their overall progress, they explain.
“He has a track record of empowering his constituents and creating opportunities for them they added.
“He has provided scholarships to deserving students, supported small-scale businesses, and initiated training programs for skill acquisition. With him as governor, the people of Ogun State can expect a government that actively supports and empowers them to succeed.”
“He has consistently demonstrated a willingness to listen to the concerns and needs of the people. He has held regular town hall meetings, engaged in grassroots campaigns, and maintained an open-door policy. Adebutu’s accessibility ensures that the people’s voices will be heard and their concerns addressed under his leadership.”
They say he has shown a commitment to fostering unity and inclusivity among the diverse communities in Ogun State. He understands the importance of bringing people together, regardless of their ethnic, religious, or social backgrounds. “Adebutu’s leadership would promote a sense of togetherness and ensure that all citizens are represented and included in the government’s decision-making processes. With his leadership, Ogun State can expect progress, prosperity, and a government that truly represents and serves the people.”
