APC Campaign Committee Chairman To Adebutu: Conclude The Vote-Buying Case Before Seeking Fresh Mandate
Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Ogun State APC Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council, Kayode Oladele, has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, to address the pending criminal case arising from the 2023 governorship election as he seeks another mandate in 2027.
Oladele, pointed out that Adebutu should not expect questions surrounding the case to disappear simply because he had secured the PDP ticket for the forthcoming governorship election.
Recall that Adebutu, who was the PDP governorship candidate in the March 18, 2023 election, is standing trial alongside five others over allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, bribery and undue influence.
The prosecution alleges, among other things, that 200,000 prepaid Verve cards loaded with N10,000 each were provided for the purpose of inducing voters. Adebutu has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Oladele noted that the alleged transaction, valued at N2 billion, remained a matter for the court, arguing that it was also a legitimate subject of public scrutiny ahead of the 2027 election.
“Adebutu is asking the same people of Ogun State for another mandate while serious allegations arising from his previous governorship contest remain before the court.
“He cannot simply repackage himself for 2027 and expect 2023 to disappear from public memory. A fresh campaign poster does not erase an unresolved criminal prosecution. A new party ticket does not cancel old questions.”
The APC chieftain maintained that the court proceedings should not be interpreted as a determination of guilt, stressing that Adebutu had pleaded not guilty and had the opportunity to defend himself before the judiciary.
“In March 2024, the Ogun State High Court admitted Adebutu’s account-opening documents and statements of account as exhibits after a Zenith Bank official testified that he had ordered 200,000 prepaid cards shortly before the 2023 election. The admission of the documents was an evidentiary ruling and did not amount to a finding of guilt.”
Oladele also posited that the continuation of the case made it difficult for Adebutu to treat the issue as irrelevant to his political ambition.
“You cannot seek the highest office in the state and simultaneously demand that inconvenient questions about your last attempt should be forgotten. Governorship is not a sanctuary from accountability.
“The public deserves more than political reinvention. It deserves answers.”
“The Ogun State High Court, in November 2025, dismissed an application by Adebutu and five others seeking to stop the criminal proceedings, ruling that the prosecution should proceed with the trial. The case was subsequently adjourned for continuation”.
Oladele asserted that the court’s decision further underscored the need for Adebutu to confront the matter through the judicial process.
“The case is there. The plea is on record. The proceedings are there. These are not inventions of Senator Yayi. They are matters already placed before the judiciary.
“If Adebutu says the allegations are false, he has every opportunity to defend himself in court, but what he cannot reasonably demand is silence from the electorate while he asks them for another mandate.”
He also urged voters to assess all candidates based on their records, policies and conduct, rather than campaign rhetoric or inducements.
“Ogun people should insist on a contest of records, ideas and programmes. They should ask every candidate what he has done before, what he proposes to do and what evidence supports his claims.
“No candidate should expect voters to forget serious unresolved issues merely because another campaign has begun.”
Oladele explained that Adebutu’s 2027 ambition should therefore be accompanied by answers to questions arising from the 2023 election, adding that the electorate had the right to scrutinise candidates seeking public office.
“You are asking Ogun people to make you governor in 2027. Fine. Then be prepared to answer every legitimate question arising from the 2023 gubernatorial election.
“A new election does not erase an old controversy. Political ambition does not wipe the slate clean and a party ticket does not place anybody above public scrutiny.”
