Following the Supreme Court’s affirmation of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun’s second term election, he taunted the appellant, Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging him to gear up for another political battle against the ruling party in 2027. Abiodun conveyed this message to journalists in Iperu, his hometown, shortly after returning from Abuja post the Supreme Court’s judgment on Friday.
Adebutu, along with his party, had taken Abiodun to the election petition tribunal due to his dissatisfaction with the outcome of the March 18, 2023, governorship election. Governor Abiodun emerged victorious with a total of 276,298 votes, while Adebutu secured 262,383 votes, trailing behind by 13,915 votes.
The PDP candidate contended that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should have ordered a rerun since the election in 99 polling units, involving over 40,000 voters, was canceled, surpassing the margin of 13,915 votes. However, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment, rejected Adebutu and the PDP’s plea for a rerun in the 99 polling units where elections were canceled.
But in a unanimous judgement, the Supreme Court rejected Adebutu and the PDP’s prayer for a rerun in the 99 polling units where elections were cancelled.
Mocking the opposition, the governor said the PDP cannot get a rerun now but in 2027 after he must have concluded his second term in office.
“We hope our opponent who has been making a lot of noise about a rerun can prepare for a rerun in 2027.
“We will now focus on sustaining our legacies, the foundation of which we laid since we assumed office in 2019.
“In the coming weeks, you will see some of the goodies that we will be unveiling for the good people of Ogun State; we remain the fastest growing economy in Nigeria, the most improved economy in Nigeria, we will continue to build on these victories.
“All attempts to distract us have failed, it has been an emotional seesaw, psychological seesaw, emotional distraction, of course physical distraction as well,” he said.
Abiodun also appreciated leaders of his party, particularly the President, Bola Tinubu, who he said, without his support he wouldn’t be standing celebrating the election victory.