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Segun Sowunmi, Ladi Adebutu claim to win the ticket
It was the beginning of another crisis yesterday as the Ogun state People’s Democratic Party(PDP) had a two parallel primary which produced Segun Sowunmi, former spoke person of the party Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,and Chief Ladi Adebutu, son of the Iperu Popular Business man and philanthropist, Chief Kensington Adebutu.
The earlier primary held at NUJ Press Center Iweroyin Abeokuta yesterday produced Segun Sowunmi in a questionable manner, with the absent of Jimi Lawal and Ladi Adebutu who were major contestants.
A similar exercise was later held at the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) majorly between Adebutu and Jimi Lawal who were present with their loyalists and delegates.
Trouble started when one of the aides of Lawal, Austin Oniyokor who brought some documents claiming to have been certified by the INEC, insisted that the exercise must not take place unless the said document is adopted.
This led to argument and exchange of words between delegates and the aspirants, which was followed by sporadic gun shots outside the hall. In a dramatic manner, journalists, observers,and delegates took to their heels.
However, Infolitenews gathered that Adebutu and his delegates returned to conduct the exercise which declared him as a winner with the following results;
Ladi Adebutu – 715
Jimi Lawal – 0
Segun Showunmi – 0
John Abimbola – 0
Though,the result was rejected by Jimi Lawal and his loyalists, but no official statement have been released by the time of this report.
Earlier,the problem of the party started when it was glaring that the party ticket was not going to be given to Ladi Adebutu(who saw unfairness in the decision, despite his contribution to the sustenance of the party) after the internal crisis was settled. He has publicly appealed severally to the party leadership to accept him as the candidate in the state who has the mandate to deliver.
Inability of the state executives to find solutions to the issue led to the fracas that made Sowunmi and other aspirants to conclude that, the state executives have been compromised and should be dissolved.
The situation is an implication that the general election will be less contending , since opposition parties are disarrayed. Ironically, two factions are also preparing candidates in the ruling party for the governorship election.
It is uncertain whether the APC can put his house in order before the election, or the opposition can pull forces together for victory.