Akinlade who was governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement in the 2019 election joined the PDP in July 2022.
Former governor and Senator Ibikunle Amosun-backed All People’s Movement (APM) has entered into an alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu, to unseat the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, and the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The APM led by Adekunle AbdulKabir Akinlade in documents of the alliance obtained by SaharaReporters in respect of the 2023 general elections already shared how elective and political offices would be given out to associates if the alliance wins in 2023.
The Ogun State PDP gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 election, Adebutu, led loyalists of former Governor Amosun led by Akinlade into the written agreement on sharing formula for both elective and appointment into political positions should the PDP wins the governorship election in 2023.
Akinlade who was governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement in the 2019 election joined the PDP in July 2022.
He was subsequently announced as the running mate of Adebutu ahead of next year’s election.
A 7-page document entitled “Alliance Agreement between Hon. Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu and Hon. Adekunle AbdulKabir Akinlade in respect of the 2023 Election Into the Offices of Governor, Deputy Governor, Related Elective Positions and Appointment in Ogun State, Nigeria,” trending online has showed how the duo agreed to share power and responsibilities if wins in 2023.
While Adebutu signed the agreement on behalf of himself and the PDP, Akinlade signed for himself and his own camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC)/All People’s Movement (APM).
Part of the agreement was already being implemented, as Akinlade is already the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP.
The agreement had the seal of a Lagos-based Legal Practitioner, Festus Ogun and endorsed by the Commissioner for Oath in the High Court of Ogun State.
It contained other components, concerning running of government machinery should PDP win the Ogun State governorship election.
It was also agreed that in line with the agreement, Adebutu and the PDP shall concede the Ogun West Senatorial ticket, two state House of Assembly tickets in Ogun Central.
The agreement document further revealed that Akinlade, besides his constitutional role as the deputy governor, shall be appointed as the Commissioner for Trade and Investment in a ministry that shall be created to drive investments, improved revenue growth and development of the state.
It stated, “Furthermore, upon emergence as the winner of the Ogun State gubernatorial election in 2023, Hon. Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shall concede the following positions to Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade and his APC/APM Group: seven (7) Substantive Commissioner slots; fifteen (15) Special Adviser slots and twenty (20) Senior Special Assistant slots.
“Twenty (20) Special Assistant slots; five (5) Statutory Board Chairman slots; five (5) Local Government Executive Chairman slots.
“That Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade, besides his constitutional role as the Deputy Governor, shall be appointed as the Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Investment in a ministry that shall be created to drive new investments, improved revenue growth, and development of the state.
“Provided that the Deputy Governor shall report directly to the Executive Governor in accordance with extant laws in relation to his official duties and functions of his office as Deputy Governor and Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Investment.
“Akinlade shall mobilise and deploy his political capital. groups, and other resources of all the candidates toward the successful emergence of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) particularly to the office of the Governor in Ogun State.
“Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade shall equally support, assist, and promote the political interests of Hon. (Dr.) Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at all times.
“The parties hereunto express a mutual interest to enter into this Alliance Agreement to pull their political forces and resources together for the purpose of winning the 2023 gubernatorial and related elections in Ogun State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“All actions, moves, and strategies made by the parties pursuant to the realisation of this agreement shall be made in good faith without any intention to unduly deprive the interests, rights, or benefits of either party.
“Each party shall not be a party to any other agreement that would restrict the parties’ ability to perform any or all of their obligations as set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding on the parties and amendment, supplement or modification can only be made by way of supplementary Alliance Agreement which shall be jointly and duly executed by the parties.
“In the event of any dispute between the parties with reference to this Agreement or any matter arising hereunder, the parties shall resolve same by amicable negotiations.
“This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
While the Chairman of the PDP, Ogun State, Hon. Sikiru Ogundele and the State Secretary, Dr. Sunday Solarin signed on behalf of the PDP group, Hon. Tola Banjo endorsed the agreement on behalf of APC/APM Group.
