Will Ladi Adebutu Be Third Time Lucky?

It began as a rumour, then grew into whispered street talk. Now, insiders in Ogun State’s political circle confirm that Hon. Ladi Adebutu is once again gearing up to contest for the number one seat in the state.

If you ask anyone who knows the son of the billionaire businessman, Chief Kessighton Adebutu, about Ladi’s most cherished ambition, they won’t hesitate before they tell you that it’s to become the governor of Ogun State.  Over time, the Iperu-born former member of the House of Representatives has thrown his hat into the ring for this purpose, investing money and time, but the position has remained elusive.

In 2019, he was considered one of the most prepared candidates in the state. However, the late Buruji Kashamu threw a spanner in the works as the two battled for the soul of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP. This, as we gathered, polarised the party and paved the way for Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to emerge victorious.

He suffered what many considered a baptism of fire of sorts. But rather than entomb his living dream, he pursued them all with unimaginable vigour. And as fate would have it, he was able to worm himself into the hearts of his people in the state. He proved to all that he was ready again; he campaigned far and wide, courting those who mattered in the state.

Again, he wasn’t lucky as the same scenario played out in 2023. During the preparation for the governorship election, some of the PDP members became an albatross around his neck. They waged war against him and his candidacy.

This hindered his governorship election campaign, and again, he lost at the polls.

Nevertheless, as a man with the belief that failure is part of life, he has again gone back to the drawing board and promised to come out better and stronger.

The question on the lips of many in the state is whether he would be lucky the third time around.