Until his dramatic defection, Ogundele was not just the PDP’s state chairman — he was also one of Ladi Adebutu’s most trusted political lieutenants, privy to the PDP financier’s election playbook
By Lukman Olajide | Newsheadline247
Former Ogun PDP Chairman, Sikirulai Ogundele, has emerged as an unlikely but potent force for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of Saturday’s high-stakes Remo House of Representatives by-election slated for August 16, 2027.
Now wearing APC colours, Ogundele has been appointed to both the party’s Campaign Council and its Strategic Committee — roles that insiders say are far from ceremonial. His deep knowledge of the opposition’s inner workings is being weaponised for a fierce political battle across Ikenne, Sagamu, and Remo North in Ogun East.
With his political base rooted in Ifo, Ogun Central, Ogundele brings what one APC insider described as “that rare insight he has brought to the table to help APC secure victory in Saturday’s high-stakes poll.”
Until his dramatic defection, Ogundele was not just the PDP’s state chairman — he was also one of Ladi Adebutu’s most trusted political lieutenants, privy to the PDP financier’s election playbook. He was a core member of the think-tank that masterminded the party’s recent electoral fights, including the razor-close 2023 gubernatorial race that nearly delivered Adebutu the governorship.
Adebutu lost that contest by a whisker, ceding a second term to Governor Dapo Abiodun under the APC banner.
Now, the rivalry between the two Iperu-born heavyweights has morphed into a personal and political grudge match. Adebutu, famed for his grassroots mobilisation and sharp grasp of local politics, has yet to beat Abiodun in any direct or proxy election since 2019. Saturday’s by-election is his latest opportunity to break that losing streak — and his supporters see it as a litmus test for his enduring influence.
The APC, for its part, is determined to keep its grip on the constituency, which until January 2025 was represented by Adewunmi Onanuga, fondly called “Adewunmi Ijaya.” The two-term House of Representatives member and Deputy Chief Whip was a staunch Abiodun ally credited with bringing unprecedented development to the Remo Federal Constituency before her sudden passing.
For Abiodun and Adebutu, this is no ordinary election. It’s a rematch layered with political ambition, personal pride, and the promise of lasting bragging rights. For Ogundele, it’s a chance to prove his worth in his new political home — and perhaps settle old scores. Read More
