A major political shake-up hit Ogun State on Thursday as a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairman of the Egba Agenda Forum, High Chief Mustapha Abdulhakeem O. (MAO), defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), mobilising over 8,000 supporters in a move that further reshaped early alignments ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
MAO, a former House of Assembly aspirant for Constituency 1 and former coordinator of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s 2023 re-election campaign, made the declaration at the 2026 Egba Agenda Convention, where he formally announced his exit from the APC and pitched his political structure behind the PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu.
Speaking at the event, MAO accused the current political leadership structure in the state of marginalising the Egba people, insisting that the group had been repeatedly sidelined in governance and development priorities.
He argued that Egbaland, despite its demographic and historical significance, had not received fair representation in the state’s power structure, warning against what he described as continued exclusion.
“The Egba people are not second-class citizens in Ogun State. We are the most populous ethnic group and one of the founding pillars of this state,” he said.
Lamenting the state of infrastructure in Abeokuta, MAO questioned the level of development compared to other state capitals, describing the situation as unacceptable.
“Does Abeokuta look like other capitals in the country? No. What have we done to deserve this kind of treatment? Enough is enough,” he added.
He further declared full support for the PDP candidate, describing Adebutu’s choice of running mate, Alhaja Dr. Lateefat Sowunmi Kolapo, as a reflection of inclusivity and balance.
MAO also revealed that the Egba Agenda Forum, alongside his political structure under the MAO Movement for Change, had formally adopted the PDP ticket for the 2027 governorship election.
“On behalf of the Egba Agenda Forum, we endorse Hon. Ladi Adebutu and Alhaja Dr. Lateefat Sowunmi Kolapo as our preferred candidates for the 2027 governorship election,” he declared.
He also warned against what he termed “political hijackers,” insisting that Ogun State must remain under the control of its indigenous people.
In his response, Adebutu pledged to prioritise grassroots development across all 20 local government areas of the state, promising a more decentralised approach to governance.
He said he had personally supported communities through the provision of transformers, claiming to have donated 15 units valued at about N20 million each to various local governments.
According to him, the intervention was funded through personal resources derived largely from agricultural ventures, long before his governorship ambition became public.
Adebutu also reiterated his commitment to local government autonomy, arguing that it would strengthen service delivery and ensure that rural communities benefit more directly from governance.
He urged residents of Egbaland to support the PDP ahead of the polls and challenged the ruling APC to a public debate on governance and development issues in the state.
Also speaking at the event, the PDP deputy governorship candidate, Alhaja Lateefat Sowunmi Kolapo, alongside former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, called on voters to support the PDP and protect their votes in the forthcoming elections.
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