Adebutu, loyalists adopt APM candidate in Ogun

Less than 48-hours to the Governorship and National Assembly elections, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu has adopted Hon. Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) as candidate in the Saturday election.

The duo of Adebutu and Akinlade are current members of the House of Representatives from the state.

This development came about hours after a Federal High Court in Abeokuta, threw out a suit filed by Adebutu challenging the nomination of Senator Buruji Kashamu as the PDP governorship candidate.

Adebutu after a closed-door meeting with Akinlade agreed to work together in ensuring the latter’s victory at the polls

The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, was said to have endorsed the working alliance.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Adebutu and Akinlade showed that the parties clearly agreed to share some positions both at state and federal levels to the PDP faction if the APM candidate is elected.

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Parts of the agreement include the allocation of political positions, including two commissioner slots, three senior special assistants, two special advisers, five special assistants, chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) or Local Government Service Commission as well as council chairmen.

The document read, “That the parties hereby agree to work together and support to ensure the victory of Akinlade in the March 9 election.

“That Adebutu agreed to mobilise his full machinery to support the election of Akinlade.

“That Senator Amosun and Hon. Adekunle Akinlade hereby agree and Ladi Adebutu concurs to the following allocation of positions in government and immediate attention to the infrastructure projects as listed herewith.”

The PDP factional chairman, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele confirmed the adoption of the APM candidate.