For some of us in the opposition political space, we have watched with our hearts held in our stomachs how a man like Ladi Adebutu has found himself at this current crossroads.

Before you call me a paid agent of the APC, ask yourself this simple question: Are you part of the reason for this disaster, or are you looking to learn from it?

As far back as 2019, when I was Chairman of the Young Democratic Party (YDP) in Ogun State, there had been a team of smaller parties in and around the PDP and, more importantly, around Ladi Adebutu. Despite their best efforts, these politicians and their parties were treated like second-class citizens, given crumbs. Yet, they persevered.

Some of these people created institutions that eventually wrestled power and became the leaders of inter-party politics. Between 2019 and 2026, while the names of parties swelled and ebbed, this core group stood by the PDP through its dramatic 2019 split, the 2023 elections, and the betrayal of other political parties by the PDP during the 2024 LGA elections. They stood with the PDP when its state legislators failed to support the push for local government electoral reforms—particularly the repeal and reenactment of a new Ogun State electoral law that would have ensured transparency and given smaller parties a fighting chance to win even a councillorship seat.

These politicians have taken back-to-back hits on behalf of the PDP ticket, and yet, what can they show for it?

Even the current leadership at the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC)—which has been tagged as "Lado people"—did not get the respect of Ladi Adebutu coming to consult with them. Yet, amongst governorship hopefuls, Sharafa Isola was one of the very first people to visit. Even the APC Governorship candidate, Sen. Olamilekan Adeola, despite the backing of his party machinery, paid his respects to IPAC.

Most people do not understand the closeness and depth of relationship between the chairmen of political parties like APM, Accord, and a few others with Hon. Adebutu.

In the South-West, PDP leaders and sitting Governors like Ademola Adeleke moved to Accord, and Seyi Makinde moved to APM. What made Ladi Adebutu think he was more politically connected and politically correct than these leaders?

It is the same minority parties that are now putting political pressure on him, and they are on the verge of ensuring his name doesn't appear on the 2027 ballot.

The question, therefore, is: How does a man who has a billionaire father, who wants to be seen as the face of the opposition, who the opposition rallies around, lose everything and everyone? He lost many of his own House of Assembly candidates, his deputy governorship candidate, the chairman of his faction of the PDP, and the eventual party chairman. He lost two faces of his party in the publicity department.

How is it possible for a man, even as far back as 2023, to lose almost half of his political stock to a man like Jimi Lawal, and somehow lack the political skill to cauterize the wound and recall the team?

Is it the king's fault or the fault of the team around him?

If Hon. Ladi Adebutu does not end up on the ballot in 2027, it will be a case of "Omi l’oju, omi l’ese, ti omo eniyan Kori omi mu"—Water everywhere, yet man dies of thirst.

A cautionary tale of what to do when options are everywhere, yet a man chooses no options.

ABIORO Itunu Temitayo 

Ogbeni oja of Grassroots politics.

Former Ogun state Chairman YDP, ADC. 

Ogun West Senatorial candidate NDC