The Juggernaut Of Ogun PDP Crisis

The camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state is not a harmonious one by any standard. AllNews Nigeria is prepared to give you the bits and pieces of the rancour in this article.

In October, the party banned its former governorship aspirant, Ladi Adebutu and four others for alleged involvement in the manipulation of the delegates’ list from the party.

According to the party, the manipulated delegates’ list was used in conducting the May 25, 2022, governorship primary election which was against the court order in place. 

Taiwo Akinlabi, Sunday Solarin, Kayode Adebayo and Akinloye Bankole were also suspended from the party.

The party said the four others violated the agreed terms of settlement of the challenges confronting the party.

The final whistle 

On Thursday, the party took a meaner decision to finally expel Adebutu and the other four for their irredeemable wrongdoings.

After the Working Committee of the party reviewed the report of a five-man disciplinary panel set up to look into the allegations of anti-party, indiscipline, division and acts capable of bringing the party into disrepute committed by these powerful stakeholders, the party in Ogun state has decided to cut their bluffs

The official position 

 The Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Akintunde Mufutau, explained via a statement: “After a thorough review of the allegation levelled against them, the panel found Adebutu and others guilty.

"Subsequently, they have been recommended for expulsion and same has been communicated to the necessary organs of the party for ratification.”

The bigger picture

Ogun PDP political disagreement does not end with suspension and polemical banter. Court proceedings and legal frameworks have also crept into the matter. 

It has been confirmed that the governorship hopeful of PDP in Ogun State, Otunba Jimi Lawal, has withdrawn a suit he filed against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking leave for an order of mandamus to compel the commission to give effect to the court-ordered governorship primary election held on October 17, 2022.

When the matter came up yesterday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, it was discovered that Adebutu, who refused to participate in the court-ordered primary election, had filed a motion to join the suit.

His counsel contended abuse of court process and told the court that there was a pending appeal that had been slated for hearing on November 14, 2022.

The court advised counsel on both sides to do the needful or else she knows what ruling to give.

Consequently, counsel for the applicants, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) & co., applied to withdraw the application for leave an order of mandamus.

The court granted the request to withdraw the suit. It struck out the matter.

In doing so, the court said the right of the applicants to return after the determination of the appeal was preserved.

It refused to hear Adebutu’s application to join the suit, describing it as “premature and unwarranted.”

Where Ogun stands 

Ogun state is one of the most controversial states in Nigeria as we speak considering internal politics and candidates.

The former governor of the state and presidential aspirant under the platform of APC, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has vowed publicly to work against his party in the forthcoming election at the state level.

Amosun is drumming support behind Biyi Otegbeye, the gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC). 

He had cited the inability of the incumbent governor Dapo Abiodun to harmonise a functional internal democracy as his prime reason for not supporting his second term bid even though he did not do so too in 2019.

It remains to be seen how the gubernatorial race which more or less is a three-horse race pans out. 

AllNews Nigeria will keep you posted with all the action in Ogun State politics as we count to the gubernatorial poll in 2023.