The recent attacks directed at Hon. (Dr.) Sikirulai Ogundele, former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, are nothing but the loud cries of a disoriented political structure gasping for relevance. These are feeble attempts by those who have turned Ogun PDP into a private estate of transactional politics to malign the very man who once held the party together with discipline, dignity, and selflessness. It is both amusing and unfortunate to read the desperate outburst of these political jobbers masquerading as defenders of a party they themselves have run aground through years of internal sabotage.
Their vitriol against Hon. (Dr.) Sikirulai Ogundele is not just unfounded but reeks of fear; fear of a man whose relevance continues to resonate beyond party lines because of his grassroots strength, political experience, and unwavering commitment to good governance. Let it be made clear: Hon. Ogundele’s decision to align with a broader political movement is neither betrayal nor opportunism. It is a bold and necessary step to rescue Ogun State from the clutches of recycled rhetoric, factional bickering, and systemic inertia that has plagued the so-called opposition for years. It is not Ogundele that failed the PDP; it is the PDP in Ogun State that failed itself and everyone who genuinely believed in its promise.
A Contrast in Character: Ogundele vs. Adebutu
Let the records be clear: Dr. Ogundele’s resignation from the PDP was not an act of betrayal, it was a demonstration of unmatched political maturity and ethical rectitude. He did not undermine the party from within. He did not take money to sabotage the party’s chances. He did not stay behind to manipulate the system for personal gain, unlike Ladi Adebutu, whose record of subversion and destructive greed remains a dark stain on the party’s history.
When in 2019, Senator Buruji Kashamu of blessed memory emerged as the PDP gubernatorial candidate, what did Ladi Adebutu do? Rather than exit with grace, he chose to remain within the party, collecting funds under false pretenses and working assiduously against the party’s own candidate. That betrayal saw the PDP reduced to a shameful less than 80,000 votes statewide — a historic disgrace engineered by the same elements now crying wolf.
Hon. Ogundele, by contrast, has proven himself to be a man of principles, values and forward-thinking leadership. Rather than sow seeds of discord within the PDP, he honourably resigned and, alongside other notable stakeholders — including the 2023 Deputy Governorship Candidate, respected party chieftains across the 20 LGAs and 236 wards, made a bold, strategic move to align with a broader, more viable political structure.
This is not opportunism, it is political clarity — a decision rooted in the desire to advance Ogun State and give the people a genuine, united platform for progress.
A Legacy of Service, Not Ingratitude
To accuse Hon. Ogundele of ingratitude is laughable. He served the PDP with distinction: as a local government chairman, a state assembly member, and as party chairman who held the fragmented structure together during turbulent times. If there is any debt owed, it is the PDP that owes Ogundele for the years he sacrificed his time, energy, resources, and reputation trying to rebuild a party that had long lost its compass. A man cannot be loyal to a structure that refuses to be loyal to itself.
Conviction in Truth, Not Convenience
Hon. Ogundele’s assertion that the PDP is “dead and ready for burial” is not a reckless statement, it is a frank diagnosis from a leader who has seen firsthand the rot within. That the party performed well electorally in spite of itself is testament to the loyalty of the people, not the coherence of the party’s leadership. The truth must be told: a house divided against itself cannot stand. Ogundele’s declaration was not a betrayal, it was a final attempt to jolt the dying horse to consciousness. Unfortunately, instead of listening, the party’s apologists resorted to personal attacks.
Of Ideology and Real Value
If Ladi Adebutu truly believes he holds political value independent of the PDP brand he has so often undermined, let him test his strength in another party. The truth is this: the remnants of his influence will evaporate the moment he is removed from the PDP’s tattered cloak. What Hon. Ogundele possesses is not borrowed capital — it is earned trust and tested grassroots loyalty.
Politics Beyond Slogans
The hypocrisy of questioning Ogundele’s decision to join the APC while conveniently ignoring the failings of those who have crossed into PDP from APC or other platforms over the years exposes the selective morality of his critics. Politics, especially in Nigeria, is not about empty slogans or emotional blackmail. It is about structures, strategy, and results. The move to the APC is not an endorsement of all its policies, but a strategic alignment aimed at ensuring that the voices and interests of the good people of Ogun State are better represented and that governance is influenced by those with integrity and grassroots credibility.
The Verdict Remains Clear
The future will remember Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, PhD as a man who placed the interest of the people over petty loyalty to a sinking ship. A man who exited with his head high, his name clean, and his political strength intact. While others continue to wallow in recycled propaganda and bitterness, Ogundele stands today, not as a betrayer; but as a symbol of ethical realignment and a force for inclusive governance.
If anyone’s legacy is at stake, it is those who have turned the PDP into a private enterprise, choking it with greed, impunity, and vendettas. Ogundele’s legacy, on the other hand, is secure as a bridge-builder, a reformer, and a fearless leader who refuses to sit idly while Ogun State drifts in political limbo.
History will vindicate Hon. (Dr.) Sikirulai Ogundele. His move is not a retreat but a recalibration. And while his critics wail in frustration, he continues to do what he has always done — build, unite, and lead.
The political journey to 2027 has begun, and clearly, some are already feeling the tremors. Let the haters write. Let them rant. But the people know the difference between betrayal and bold leadership.
