Reactions as court ‘ties down’ PDP, ADC, others in Ogun

To supporters of Dapo Abiodun, the 2023 governorship election might be an easy ride for the Governor if the courts continue to ‘hold his major contenders to ransom’.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 13 persons were earlier in the contest for the Ogun State governorship seat currently being occupied by Abiodun.

However, with the pronouncements of the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, it appears two candidates are no more in the race, pending the decision of the appellate courts.

Track News recalls that the candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Prof David Bamgbose died a few days after he was unveiled as the party’s flagbearer. Surprisingly, his name still appears on the INEC list as the candidate of the PRP.

With this, it will be safe to say that as at today, only nine contestants are dragging the governorship seat with Gov Abiodun in Ogun.

Political observers in the Gateway State ‘lost their permutations’ when an Abeokuta Federal High Court nullified all the primary elections conducted by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The judgement affected Ladi Adebutu, who many saw as a major threat to Abiodun.

Adebutu became a threat to Abiodun’s reelection bid when Adekunle Akinlade joined forces with the PDP candidate to be his running mate.

Akinlade was Abiodun’s closest rival in the 2019 governorship election.

He contested under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), being the anointed candidate of the immediate past governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

Akinlade’s movement to the PDP surged the strength and popularity of the party, making it a better alternative for those who do not want Abiodun to return. The former lawmaker defected to the PDP with many foot soldiers and loyalists of Amosun.

Our correspondent learnt that their defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP followed a direction by Amosun that his followers who felt cheated about the primary conducted by the APC could go to any party where they can actualize their ambitions, with the proviso that they should not mention his name in the negotiations