APC chieftain, 8,000 supporters defect to PDP over alleged marginalisation of Egbaland

By James Ogunnaike

ABEOKUTA — A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairman of the Egba Agenda Forum, High Chief Mustapha Abdulhakeem Owolabi, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing what he described as the continued political marginalisation of Egbaland in Ogun State.

Owolabi announced his defection alongside more than 8,000 supporters from Ogun Central and other parts of the state during the 2026 Egba Agenda Convention held in Abeokuta on Thursday.

The former House of Assembly aspirant and coordinator of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s 2023 re-election campaign also endorsed the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, and his running mate, Alhaja Dr. Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Addressing delegates, supporters and political stakeholders, Owolabi alleged that Egba people had been sidelined in the affairs of Ogun State for more than seven years and warned against what he described as efforts to deny Egbaland access to the state’s leadership position for another 16 years.

According to him, the convention marked a significant step in the struggle for political inclusion and equitable representation for the Egba people.

“Today marks a turning point in our collective struggle to secure a rightful seat at the table whenever the future of Ogun State is being discussed and decided,” he said.

Owolabi argued that the Egba people, as one of the founding blocs of Ogun State, deserve fairness, equity and inclusion in governance.

“The Egba people are not second-class citizens in Ogun State. We are one of the founding pillars of this state and our contributions to its development are boldly written in the pages of history. We deserve fairness, equity and inclusion,” he stated.

He also expressed concern over what he described as the slow pace of development in Abeokuta compared to other state capitals across the country.

Commending Adebutu’s choice of Sowunmi-Kolapo as running mate, Owolabi described her as a respected daughter of Egbaland whose emergence reflects a commitment to inclusive governance and balanced representation.

He further disclosed that the PDP had assured the group that the position of Secretary to the State Government (SSG) would be occupied by an Egba indigene if the party wins the election.

Announcing the group’s endorsement, Owolabi said the MAO Movement for Change and the Egba Agenda Forum had adopted Adebutu and Sowunmi-Kolapo as their preferred candidates for the 2027 governorship election.

Speaking at the event, Adebutu pledged to run a transparent and accountable administration focused on local government autonomy, grassroots development and economic growth.

He maintained that genuine local government autonomy remains critical to bringing governance closer to the people and accelerating development across the state.

Adebutu also challenged the APC governorship ticket to a public debate, arguing that Ogun residents deserve to hear directly from those seeking elective office.

Highlighting his commitment to infrastructure development, particularly in the power sector, he said he had donated transformers to communities across the state using resources from his private businesses.

The PDP governorship candidate also criticised what he described as the celebration of projects relocated from other states to Ogun, insisting such actions should not be presented as extraordinary achievements.

Also speaking, PDP candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District, Iyabo Obasanjo, urged Egba people to unite politically and reject what she described as attempts to diminish their influence in the state.

She expressed confidence that a PDP administration would deliver inclusive governance and accelerate development across Ogun State.

“Let us stand together and reject disrespect with our votes. Ogun belongs to its people, and this is the time to reject political exclusion and marginalisation,” she said.

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