Ogun APC leader quits politics after endorsing PDP Gov’ship candidate

One of the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Elder Joju Fadairo, on Wednesday announced his resignation from active politics, less than one month after he stirred unease within the ruling party by endorsing the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, for next year’s election.

The 83-year-old politician had caused an uproar within the ruling party after backing the opposition candidate to win the next election.

A viral video showed Fadairo endorsing Adebutu during a meeting at his Ibara Housing Estate residence in Abeokuta last month.

Fadairo, in the video, said Adebutu won the 2023 governorship election against Governor Dapo Abiodun but was rigged out.

“You won that election (referring to 2023 poll). If you ask your father, he will tell you that I said you won that election. But this time around, nobody will be able to rig it. By God’s grace, you will get to the Promised Land,” he said.

Daily Trust reports that Fadairo’s cross-party endorsement sent shockwaves through the APC leadership, with many members criticising the veteran politician for taking such a position.

Incidentally, Fadairo had recently hosted the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi), at his residence in Abeokuta, where he prayed for his success in the race.

At a press conference held at his private residence in Abeokuta, members of the Apex Leaders of APC in Ifo Local Government, which Fadairo chairs, dissociated themselves from his comments endorsing Adebutu.

Among those present were the APC Chairman in Ifo Local Government, Barrister Olumide Oduwole; former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kunle Oluomo; Aare Tunde Alabi; and Hon. Adijat Adeleye, the APC House of Representatives candidate for Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency.

Amid the controversy, the APC in his Ibogun Ward, Ifo Local Government Area, announced the suspension of Fadairo, alongside the ward chairman, Alhaji Akeem Oluwanisola, and the ward youth leader, Abraham Samuel Ochem, over alleged anti-party activities and breaches of the party’s constitution.

The suspension was reportedly ratified at a general meeting of APC members in Ibogun Ward held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the party secretariat in Akiode, where stakeholders deliberated on internal disputes and disciplinary matters within the ward structure.

According to resolutions reached at the meeting, members unanimously endorsed an earlier decision of the Ward Executive Committee to place Oluwanisola and Ochem on indefinite suspension over allegations of financial misconduct, abuse of office and failure to comply with the party’s administrative procedures.

They were accused of mismanaging and failing to account for funds released for recent party affirmation and primary election processes, refusing to convene statutory ward meetings as required by the APC Constitution, and threatening to dissolve constitutionally recognised ward structures.

The ward also accused the suspended officials of taking unilateral decisions without recourse to party organs, describing their conduct as “inimical to party cohesion and grassroots stability.”

In a separate resolution, the meeting also approved Fadairo’s indefinite suspension over his public endorsement of Adebutu.

Party members described the endorsement as a serious act of indiscipline and anti-party conduct capable of undermining the APC’s electoral fortunes and unity in the ward.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Fadairo, who was chairman of the PDP in the state, announced that he had formally resigned from partisan politics.

Henceforth, he said, he would assume the role of “a father to all,” maintaining neutrality and offering goodwill without partisan inclination.

He added that he would continue to work for the progress of his community and the state while devoting more time to his traditional responsibilities as the Asiwaju of Ifoland and Fiwagbayi of Egbaland.

“For the purpose of clarity and to dispel any possible misconceptions, I consider it necessary to state clearly that this decision is purely personal and devoid of any hidden motives or external pressure. It is a well-considered choice made after deep reflection.

“Having actively participated in the political landscape of our great nation at both the state and national levels for several decades, I am convinced that I have made my contributions and fulfilled my obligations. I believe the time has come for me to step aside and take a well-deserved rest, in line with the timeless saying that there is a season for everything,” he said.

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