The Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 Ogun State election, Adekunle Akinlade, has declared that Governor Dapo Abiodun cannot be defeated in any political contest in the state. He made the statement on Sunday while expressing support for the governor and cautioning politicians planning to challenge him ahead of future elections.
Akinlade, who contested against Abiodun in 2019 and again in 2023, said his two defeats convinced him that anyone who goes against the governor in Ogun will not win. He issued the statement after joining the All Progressives Congress with his supporters following the 2023 governorship election.
With political moves already building toward the 2027 elections, Akinlade advised aspirants to avoid entering what he described as a political fight with Abiodun. He said his past experiences had shown him that certain factors, such as access and resources, play a major role in election outcomes, adding that the governor holds both strongly.
Akinlade explained that he came to respect Abiodun through direct political encounters, not through praise from a distance. He recalled that some people predicted in 2019 that Ogun State would struggle under Abiodun’s leadership, but he said the state is now seen as one of the most stable and productive in the country.
He pointed to improvements in infrastructure, governance, human capital development, and industry growth. He also mentioned the completion of a major airport project, which he described as one of the most advanced in the region.
Akinlade compared political decisions to the tactics of ancient warriors, saying leaders do not fight every battle but choose the ones that matter. He said his own political journey had shown him that the best approach is strategy, not unnecessary confrontation.
The statement ended with his firm support for Governor Abiodun as preparations continue toward the next election cycle.