Believe Movement Denies Endorsing Ladi Adebutu, Reaffirms Support for Senator Yayi, APC
ABEOKUTA – The Believe Movement in Ogun State has denied reports claiming it endorsed the governorship ambition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, describing the report as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Femi Peters on behalf of the movement, the group said it remained firmly committed to the governorship aspiration of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The denial followed a news report which alleged that the movement, through one Chief Akinbami Lukman, joined other groups at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ilaro, Ogun West Senatorial District, to endorse Adebutu’s governorship bid.
Reacting to the claim, the movement said Chief Lukman did not have the mandate to speak on its behalf, insisting that his action was a personal decision that should not be construed as the position of the organisation.
“The report is false, misleading and does not reflect the position of the Believe Movement in any way. The public and the media should not be deceived by the actions of a single individual attempting to misrepresent a structured statewide organisation for personal political leverage,” the statement read.
The group maintained that it was fully aligned with the APC and Senator Adeola’s governorship project, noting that it recently hosted the lawmaker in Abeokuta at an event attended by hundreds of delegates drawn from across the state.
According to the statement, the gathering was organised to reaffirm members’ commitment to the senator’s vision ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The movement also distanced itself from Lukman, who was described in the report as one of its leaders, saying he no longer plays any active role in its affairs.
It stated that although Lukman was once a member, he had been inactive for a long time, particularly outside Owode Ward in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area.
The statement identified Alhaji Salmon Adeleke (Sonto) and former Vice Chairman of Imeko-Afon Local Government, Alhaja Fasilat Adebayo, as the recognised leaders of the movement in the area.
The Believe Movement, therefore, urged members of the public, the media and political stakeholders to disregard the reported endorsement of Adebutu, insisting that it remained united and unwavering in its support for Senator Adeola and the APC ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
