Ogun PDP Youth Leader Challenges Yayi to Public Debate With Adebutu

The Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Leader, Ejalonibu Lukman Adeyinka, has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, to participate in a televised public debate with the PDP candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu.

Adeyinka made the call in a statement in which he argued that the 2027 Ogun State governorship election should focus on policies, programmes, competence and accountability rather than political exchanges between supporters of the two parties.

Adeola emerged as the APC’s governorship candidate after the party’s 2026 governorship primary, while Adebutu is the PDP’s candidate for the 2027 election. Adeola was also presented to APC stakeholders in Ogun West as the party’s consensus candidate earlier in the year. (Premium Times Nigeria)

According to Adeyinka, the proposed debate would give both candidates an opportunity to present their programmes directly to Ogun residents and respond to questions on issues affecting the state.

“Rather than trading accusations through surrogates and social media, let the two leading candidates come before the people and debate their programmes,” he said.

Adeyinka also referred to Adebutu’s policy agenda, known as the ITURA DE agenda, which he said covers security, local government autonomy, workers’ welfare, urban and regional development, agriculture and economic development, youth and women development, education, healthcare and social services.

Adebutu recently began his 2027 governorship campaign in Abeokuta, where he presented an agenda covering areas including local government autonomy, education, healthcare, agriculture, security, youth and women empowerment, as well as workers’ welfare. (Channels Television)

The PDP youth leader also raised questions about Adeola’s ancestral and indigeneship claims in Ogun State, calling for what he described as “clear and documentary clarification.”

Adeyinka said the request was not intended as an invitation to insults or character attacks, but as a demand for transparency from a candidate seeking the governorship of the state.

The issue of Adeola’s ancestry has featured in the political contest ahead of the 2027 election. Adebutu and other PDP figures have questioned Adeola’s claim to Ogun indigene status, while APC figures have rejected the allegations and defended his eligibility. The dispute has also generated threats of possible legal action. (The Guardian)

Adeyinka further raised questions concerning Adeola’s financial history, business interests and sources of wealth accumulated before and during his years in public service.

He urged that any such questions be addressed with documentary evidence rather than political rhetoric.

“Public office comes with a responsibility to be accountable to the people,” the PDP youth leader said.

Adeyinka subsequently challenged Adeola to participate in what he described as a televised and independently moderated debate with Adebutu.

“Let them sit together.

“Let them present their programmes.

“Yayi, we invite you to the table.

“Hon. Ladi Adebutu is ready.

“Let Ogun people hear from both of you,” he said.

The proposed debate comes amid an increasingly active 2027 governorship contest in Ogun State, with both the APC and PDP already promoting their candidates and policy positions ahead of the election.

The statement was signed by Ejalonibu Lukman Adeyinka, Ogun State PDP Youth Leader.