A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress from Abeokuta South and Chairman of the Egba Agenda Forum, Chief Mustapha Abdulhakeem, on Thursday, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party alongside his supporters, citing alleged marginalisation of the Egba people by the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Abdulhakeem disclosed this in Abeokuta at an event organised to announce the endorsement of the PDP governorship candidate for the state, Oladipupo Adebutu, and his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo.
He explained that for more than seven years, the Egba people had been largely sidelined in the affairs of the state, while their land was being converted into private estates in the name of redevelopment.
“Worse still, there appears to be a grand design to keep Egbaland out of the saddle of leadership for another sixteen years. That proposition is unacceptable, and I reject it completely.
“The Egba people are not second-class citizens in Ogun State. We are the most populous ethnic group in Ogun State and one of the founding pillars of this great state, and our contributions to its development are written boldly in the pages of history.
“We deserve fairness, equity and inclusion. Look around you—does Abeokuta look like other state capitals in the country? No. What have we done as Egba people to deserve this kind of treatment? We say enough is enough,” he said.
Abdulhakeem said it was in this regard that he commended Adebutu for giving Egbaland a political opportunity by choosing Sowunmi-Kolapo, an Egba daughter, as his running mate, describing it as a demonstration of courage, fairness and inclusive governance.
He added that the PDP deputy governorship candidate is not only a distinguished daughter of Egbaland but also the revered Iya Suna of Egbaland, a woman of proven character and leadership.
Abdulhakeem further stated that Adebutu had also pledged that the position of Secretary to the State Government would be occupied by an Egba son or daughter, insisting that the future of the state would be secured under a PDP administration.
“Our position is simple: Ogun must be for Ogun people. Therefore, we say no to political hijackers. Ogun State belongs to its people, and its destiny must remain in their hands,” he said.
He announced his formal endorsement of Adebutu and his running mate on behalf of the MAO Movement for Change and the Egba Agenda Forum, describing them as symbols of hope, fairness, inclusion and a better future for the state.
In his remarks, Adebutu assured that his administration would prioritise transparency and local government autonomy to strengthen grassroots governance.
He said his government would focus on electricity infrastructure, noting its importance to both small-scale and large-scale businesses, and added that he had facilitated the distribution of several transformers across the 20 local government areas of the state to address power challenges.
Also speaking, the PDP senatorial candidate for Ogun Central, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, said the Egba people are known for unity and resilience, urging them to speak with one voice and reject political marginalisation.
“Let us stand in unity and reject disrespect with our votes. Let them know that Ogun is not for outsiders, but for its people. This is our time.
“The PDP is a party that is truly ready to give power to the people; hence, it is important that we join hands for the betterment of our dear state,” she said.