The running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP's candidate in the last election in Ogun State, Hon Adekunle Akinlade, has revealed that the flagbearer of the Party, Hon Ladi Adebutu was a calamity that was averted by heavenly intervention.

Akinlade, the first runners up in the 2019 general election in the state further said that after relating with Adebutu for about 21 months, he has realized that he (the governorship candidate) has no mental capacity to lead a group of children not to talk of a state.

While tanking God that both of them did not win the 2023 election, the running mate, who spoke with the media during the weekend, insisted that all stakeholders must not sleep but remain vigilant and alert to avert the calamity from happening.

Akinlade said with what he later knew about Adebutu, his former colleague in the 8th National Assembly, he (Akinalde) would haven’t have lasted for three months in the administration before being impeached.

Akinlade said he came to the conclusion on the state of mind of Adebutu because of his resolve to contest the 2027 election despite the current governor, Dapo Abiodun who is spending his second term in office, coming from the same ward, local government and senatorial district with him (Adebutu).

Asked if Adebutu has declared his intention to run again in 2027, Akinlade revealed that the governorship candidate threw a party on the same day the PDP lost at the Supreme Court where he declared his intention to run again in 2027.

According to him, Adebutu also discussed his 2027 aspiration with him few days later, adding that his response what that he won’t be on the same ballot with him.

He however alleged that Adebutu is a 2 year old child in a 62 year old man’s child body, saying, “I guess this explains why he acts on impulse like a child without caring about the consequences of his actions.”

Akinlade said, “I say Alhamdulillah that Allah averted that calamity from befalling Ogun State. Had Ladi emerged as the winner, it would have been a sad and devastating time for us as a people.

“Ladi’s actions and deeds betrayed his purported intention to inspire leadership. His temperament, lack of regard for varying opinions, brashness and uncultured manner makes it impossible to have any reasonable conversation with him.

“After relating with him for about 21 months, I can say with certainty that he does not have the mental capacity or acumen to lead a group of children, talk less of a State like Ogun.

“Thank God Ladi did not happen to Ogun State in 2023, we must therefore not sleep, but remain vigilant and alert as a people to avert this calamity from happening

“Ladi is a 2yr old child in a 62yr old man’s body…I hereby call on our leaders, elders, royal fathers and other critical stakeholders…to make sure that Ladi does not happen to Ogun State come 2027.”

When contacted, Adebutu who said he wasn’t ready to join his former running mate in the verbal attacks further alleged that the vituperations were too petty and born out of Akinlade’s personal ambition.

Adebutu who reacted through his media aide, Afolabi Orekoya alleged that the trouble started when Akinlade declared his intention to re-contest for governorship election in 2027, using Adebutu’s structure and financial strength.

Orekoya, who is also a member of the Caretaker Committee of the Party in Ogun Said, “Sincerely speaking, these are no issues we should respond to at all, and Yorubas would say 'he who builds doesn't destroy'. Everybody has a mission, and if Akinlade could appear before the Committee (Caretaker) and utter the statement that ‘if they want to bury PDP, he’s ready to bury PDP’ that simply shows his intent.

“This is born out of personal ambition. How could someone say you want to be Governor and you want somebody to give you his structure and fund to run an election?

“He keeps saying the issue is the moment Adebutu says he wanted to contest again in 2027, why should that be an issue? Why should that be his problem?

“If he is interested to contest, he should go ahead and contest but don’t ask him to give you his structure and financial backing.”