A political analyst, Oluwaseyi Omoyele from Irolu in Ikenne Local Government, has dissected the reasons behind the woeful performance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the August 16, 2025 bye-election for the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency seat, concluding that the party’s self-inflicted wounds handed victory to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The seat became vacant following the death of Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga (Ijaya) in January. While PDP went into the election buoyed by its strong showing in the 2023 polls across Remo, Omoyele said the party’s collapse was both predictable and avoidable.

WHY PDP LOST ?

According to the analyst, four major factors sealed the party’s fate:

1. TINUBU ENDORSEMENT BLUNDER

Omoyele noted that PDP’s open endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027, just 72 hours before the by-election, was nothing short of “political suicide.” Instead of using its grand finale rally to consolidate support for its candidate, the PDP “conceded defeat on the podium.”

2. LACK OF INCLUSIVENESS AND ADEBUTU’S GRIP

The analyst faulted the overbearing control of Hon. Ladi Adebutu, describing him as high-handed and dismissive of internal party input. He said the lack of inclusiveness in PDP’s decision-making alienated members, many of whom allegedly sabotaged the party at the polls. According to Omoyele, this pattern has been the major reason behind PDP’s repeated setbacks in Ogun State since 2023.

3. THE EXIT OF HON. DAISI AKINTAN AND HIS POLITICAL STRUCTURE

The departure of Hon. Daisi Akintan and his entire political structure from the PDP was described as a “colossal loss.” Omoyele noted that Akintan, a respected grassroots figure and one of Sagamu’s most celebrated former local government chairmen, should have been a stabilising father-figure for the party. Instead, his absence created a vacuum APC quickly capitalised on.

4. THE INCUMBENCY FACTOR

Finally, Omoyele stressed that defeating a sitting government in an isolated bye-election is almost impossible in African politics. He said APC’s dominance, resources, and tactical preparations gave it a decisive edge.

He concluded that the crushing defeat has further entrenched APC’s hold on Remo politics. With less than two years to the 2027 general elections, he said the PDP faces an uphill task to remain relevant amid its disintegration and Adebutu’s overbearing influence.

“This bye-election did not just show PDP’s weakness, it exposed its internal contradictions. Unless the party frees itself from the grip of high-handed leadership and rebuilds inclusiveness, it may never recover in Ogun politics,” Omoyele warned.