APC DISTANCES ITSELF FROM FADAIRO’S COMMENTS, FADAIRO REAFFIRMS LOYALTY
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ifo Local Government Area has distanced itself from comments made by elder statesman and Apex Committee Chairman, Chief Joju Fadairo, during a recent visit by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu.
Speaking at his residence in Abeokuta while receiving members of the APC Apex Committee, Chief Fadairo apologized to party leaders and members over the controversy generated by his remarks, stressing that they were misconstrued and did not represent the position of either the Apex Committee or the APC.
The APC chieftain maintained that he never endorsed Hon. Adebutu against the party’s candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for the 2027 governorship election.
According to him, as a respected community leader and elder statesman, he receives politicians across party lines and offers them goodwill prayers without necessarily endorsing their political ambitions.
Chief Fadairo further declared that his support in the 2027 election remains with the candidate of his party, the APC.
Earlier, members of the APC Apex Committee in Ifo Local Government, led by former Ogun APC Chairman, Chief Derin Adebiyi, dissociated the party from the alleged endorsement, describing Chief Fadairo’s comments as a personal opinion that does not reflect the position of the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
The delegation, comprising party leaders and elected officials from the local government, reaffirmed their commitment to the APC and its governorship candidate, insisting that the party remains united and focused on retaining power in Ogun State.
PDP CLAIMS FADAIRO STOOD BY SUPPORT FOR ADEBUTU DESPITE APC PRESSURE
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of attempting to pressure elder statesman and Ifo Apex Committee Chairman, Chief Joju Fadairo, into retracting his support for the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu.
In a reaction following Tuesday’s meeting between APC leaders and Chief Fadairo, the PDP described the visit by APC stakeholders as evidence of panic within the ruling party over growing support for Adebutu ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The opposition party alleged that despite sustained efforts by APC leaders to make Chief Fadairo disown the comments he made while hosting Adebutu and a PDP delegation on Monday, the elder statesman refused to withdraw his support.
According to the PDP, Chief Fadairo consistently maintained his earlier position when repeatedly asked to clarify his remarks and only ended the discussion by telling those present to interpret his comments as they wished.
The party further claimed that more influential members of the APC are quietly identifying with Adebutu’s governorship aspiration and predicted additional defections and endorsements in the coming months.
The PDP also criticized the APC’s choice of candidate for the 2027 election, insisting that many residents of Ogun State are dissatisfied with the ruling party and are looking towards a change in leadership.
The development has continued to generate political debate across Ogun State, with both the APC and PDP offering differing interpretations of Chief Fadairo’s comments and where his true political support lies as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
