Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has defeated Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his local government in the ongoing gubernatorial and states assembly elections in Ogun State. Despite hailing from the same local government, Mr. Abiodun scored 9,133 votes, trailing behind Mr. Adebutu, who polled 12,472 votes. The figures were obtained from the result viewing portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), IReV. This loss has brought into question Mr. Abiodun's claim of public support for his re-election.
The defeat is a blow to the Abiodun-led administration and has strengthened public disapproval of his leadership. Even Vice President Yemi Osinbajo lost in some polling units in the same local government.
However, political thugs disrupted some polling units in the area, leading to their cancellation. Despite this, Adebutu's victory is attributed to the last-minute collaboration between major opposition parties like the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and, most recently, the Labour Party (LP).
The election was characterised by violence and unrest, with reports of vote buying and rigging by the various political parties. The police and other security agencies have been called upon to maintain law and order in the state.
Speaking on the election results, Adebutu expressed his gratitude to the people of Ogun State, promising to serve them with dedication and commitment. He called on all stakeholders to join hands in ensuring a peaceful and transparent electoral process.
In contrast, Abiodun has rejected the election results, citing widespread irregularities and voter suppression by the opposition parties. He urged his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while his legal team challenges the results in court.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also assured the public that it will investigate all reported cases of electoral malpractice and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
In the meantime, political analysts have suggested that the outcome of the Ogun State gubernatorial election could have far-reaching implications for the APC's chances in the 2023 presidential elections. They believe that the loss of Abiodun's local government could signal a shift in political sentiment against the ruling party.
The APC has been facing a growing tide of criticism over its handling of the economy, insecurity, and other critical issues. The party's leadership has been accused of failing to address the needs of ordinary Nigerians, leading to rising discontent and disenchantment with the ruling party.