Adebutu: I’m the authentic PDP candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State is being torn apart by the battle for supremacy between the faction led by Bayo Dayo, who enjoys the backing of Senator Buruji Kashamu and Zikirulahi Ogundele, who belongs to the Oladipupo Adebutu camp. Following the latest court ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognises Kashamu as the Ogun PDP governorship candidate. Adebutu insists that he remains the authentic candidate of the party. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU was at the event in which Adebutu spoke to reporters in Lagos.

Oladipupo Adebutu, son of billionaire business man, Kensington Adebutu, is undergoing a baptism of fire in politics. Last month, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) proclaimed him as its Ogun State governorship candidate. But, last week, the table turned against him as the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised his rival, Senator Buruji Kashamu, as the party’s flag bearer.

Adebutu rejected the list of candidates that omitted his name and substituted it with Kashamu, saying: “I am the candidate of the PDP in Ogun. Buruji is a joke.”

The House of Representatives member blamed the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC for his ordeal. He alleged that the electoral body was influenced by the ruling party to deprive him of the ticket. To him, the confusion represents one of the challenges of democracy. He added: “The APC wants to win Ogun by all means out of desperation. Attempts have been made to lure me to defect to the APC, but I rejected it.”

It appears that the aggrieved politician also has a score to settle with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN). He said: “Osinbajo is desperate to win Ogun. He wanted me to join the APC, but I rejected it. The PDP is being targeted to weaken it.”

Although INEC had explained that it was guided by a court order, Adebutu rejected the explanation, saying: “INEC is an appendage of the APC. Why is INEC selectively obeying court orders in a way that can put Ogun PDP in jeopardy? INEC is a department of the APC.”

The crisis in Ogun PDP is the climax of the division in the party in the last 10 years. The leadership tussle has escalated and assumed new dimensions. At the centre of the logjam are two factional party chairmen: Bayo Dayo, who enjoys the backing of Kashamu and Zikirulahi Ogundele, who belongs to the Adebutu camp.

The primary was stressful. The post-primary experience has been more stressful. Born with silver spoon in his mouth, Adebutu should be swimming in the opulence of his illustrious father’s wealth. He has worked and made money in business before joining the fray to contribute his quota. He told reporters in Lagos last weekend that he has experienced more than he bargained for in politics. “While walking now, I have to look at my back to see whether a bullet is coming. I have to be more security conscious,” he said.

The party’s national executive regards Adebutu as its flag bearer, because he duly obtained its nomination form and participated at the primary supervised by the leadership. The same cannot be said for Kashamu. The party suspended and later dismissed him. But, the court said the party erred. Adebutu and Kashamu have been in and out of court. Cases are still pending in court over the ticket.

However, Adebutu is hinging his case on the position of the court that it is the duty of the national leadership of the party to conduct the primary. Also, the court affirmed that when the governorship primary is not conducted by the national leadership, its outcome is null and void. “Despite these orders, INEC chose to create confusion in Ogun PDP by recognising Kashamu,” he fumed.

INEC has been at the centre of nomination controversies in different states. Zamfara and Rivers APC are also complaining that the agency omitted the names of their candidates. Unless the outstanding issues are resolved, the two troubled chapters may not have flag bearers for the poll.

In respect of Ogun PDP crisis, Adebutu maintained that the electoral body is biased, adding that the non-recognition of the authentic PDP candidate was part of orchestrated plan to stifle the party’s growth in the Gateway State. He wondered why INEC, which was part of the primary, withdrew recognition of his candidature. He also said the decision was in bad faith, because the dissolution of the state executive committee of the party being contested by the Kashamu group has not been resolved.

Instructively, Ogundele’s and Dayo’s executive committees were legitimized by the court. Later, both were dissolved at the party’s national convention. Since the Kashamu camp has been outlawed by the PDP, its key national leaders, Senator Modu Sheriff and Dr. Cairo Ojugbo, have left for the APC. Kashamu decided to fight on. The intra-party squabbles have taken tolls on the crisis-ridden chapter.

Adebutu added: “The PDP is in trouble because people who did not buy the party’s governorship form are now being recognised as its candidate. The constitution says only the PDP NEC can submit the list of candidates to INEC. APC deliberately orchestrated the crisis. INEC should have published two names for Ogun PDP based on court orders or no name at all.”

Many party members are confused. The election is drawing near. Yet, the coast is not clear. Can the two factions work together at the poll? Adebutu said the interest of the party is paramount, adding that members and the entire people of Ogun State will vote for the PDP. He seemed to share the legal and partisan understanding that the electorate vote for the party and not necessarily the candidate.  Thus, he is optimistic that he will triumph at the end of the day.

Adebutu stressed: “We members of the PDP will not dismember the PDP. We will not leave our party, and we will vote for our party, and by the time we get to the Supreme Court, we will get victory for our party.”