Society
Adebutu’s Ex-Running Mate, Akinlade, Now Abiodun’s Ally
the preferred successor of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun
Emerging details indicate that Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade, the running mate of Ladi Adebutu in the 2023 Ogun State gubernatorial election, is now in the camp of Governor Dapo Abiodun as an ally.
However, it is not clear whether he has made the switch official.
He contested the last election as the deputy to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Adebutu, while Abiodun flew the flag of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
From the same ward, town, and federal constituency, Adebutu and Abiodun are fierce political opponents who engaged in one of the state’s most intense gubernatorial contests in 2023.
Abiodun won the election—decorated with all shades of drama—to secure another term, with less than fourteen thousand votes in a victory fiercely contested by Adebutu.
Akinlade stood by Adebutu throughout the campaign and the unsuccessful attempts to overturn Governor Abiodun’s victory in court.
But he sensationally cut ties over what insiders labeled “broken agreements.”
He is now an ally of Abiodun, sources say, but they also clarify, “It is not clear whether he has officially switched allegiance to the APC.”
The attendance of Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele—who represented the Governor—at his father’s burial during the week has further fueled talks of Akinlade pitching his tent with Abiodun.
Further findings revealed that Akinlade is not a stranger to the APC and its stalwarts.
He was a former House of Representatives member representing Egbado South and Ipokia Federal Constituency on the platform of the APC before leaving the party to contest the 2019 Ogun State gubernatorial election as the candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM).
Akinlade, the preferred successor of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, was the main opponent against Abiodun in that election, which Abiodun won to secure his first term in office.
Akinlade and Amosun fell out after the election for reasons they have refused to disclose.
While Akinlade, who left Amosun to team up with Adebutu, is now working with Abiodun, sources confirm that the Governor and Amosun remain estranged.
