2023 Elections: How Dapo Betrayed PBAT, Compromised President’s Victory in His Own Ward — Adebutu Fires Back
…Says Tinubu lost in Abiodun’s backyard but won in mine, hails Ogun PDP's support for PBAT
Ogun State’s political landscape was shaken over the weekend as Hon. Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of betraying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) during the last presidential election.
Speaking at a vibrant campaign rally in Remo for PDP House of Reps candidate, Oluwole, Adebutu delivered a fiery speech where he not only declared his unwavering support for President Tinubu but also exposed what he called “Governor Abiodun’s disloyalty and sabotage.”
“Let the truth be known — Tinubu lost in Dapo Abiodun’s own ward but won in mine,” Adebutu declared, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.
According to Adebutu, it is a shame that a sitting governor under the same All Progressives Congress (APC) banner as the President could not secure victory for Tinubu in his own polling unit — a failure he described as both embarrassing and suspicious.
“Dapo Abiodun compromised the President’s election in his ward. That’s not just failure — that’s betrayal,” Adebutu stated bluntly.
The former federal lawmaker further highlighted that despite being in the opposition, the Ogun PDP ensured victory for Tinubu in his own stronghold, showing a deeper commitment to national progress than the state’s APC leadership.
“We in PDP are not blind to good leadership. President Tinubu is trying to stabilize this country, and we will support him. But we will not support incompetence and selfish governance here at home,” Adebutu said.
He lambasted Governor Abiodun for disconnecting from the grassroots, failing on road infrastructure, and running a government that alienates the majority of Ogun people while favouring a privileged few.
“This is bigger than party politics. It’s about the future of Ogun State. Abiodun has failed our people, and even failed his own President when it mattered most. We can’t continue like this,” he added.
Analysts say Adebutu’s remarks reflect growing internal frustration even among APC loyalists who feel Governor Abiodun has become a political liability rather than an asset.
As the 2027 political race slowly builds momentum, the Ogun PDP appears to be repositioning itself — not just as an opposition party, but as a pragmatic force willing to support competent leadership at the federal level while rejecting poor governance at home.
For now, Adebutu’s words have cast a long shadow over Governor Abiodun’s credibility — both in Ogun State and within the corridors of power in Abuja.
