Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, has officially thrown his support behind Oladipupo Adebutu, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 Ogun governorship election. The endorsement occurred during a visit by Adebutu and his campaign team to the Egba Traditional Council to seek royal support.
During the session, Oba Gbadebo highlighted the philanthropic history of the Adebutu family, specifically noting the generosity of the candidate’s father, Chief Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu. The monarch shared a story about how Chief Adebutu fully funded a secretariat building for an Egba association in Lagos, relieving the members of their financial burden. Following these remarks, the monarch prayed for the candidate and formally endorsed his quest for the governorship.
In response, Adebutu, who attended alongside his running mate Dr. Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolpapo, pledged to prioritize local government financial autonomy if elected. He argued that allowing councils direct access to their allocations is essential for fostering grassroots growth. Furthermore, Adebutu shared plans to shift away from heavy borrowing for infrastructure projects, opting instead for private sector partnerships to boost electricity generation and road connectivity. He criticized the current system where governors retain control over local government funds, promising that his administration would work closely with traditional rulers to ensure inclusive governance and improved service delivery.
