Ogun State PDP governorship candidate Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu has accused governors across Nigeria of siphoning local government funds. He pledged to grant these councils complete financial independence if he wins the 2027 gubernatorial election. Adebutu shared this vision while visiting the Egba Traditional Council at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta to request the support of Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland.
Accompanied by his running mate, Dr. Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, and party leaders, Adebutu argued that direct access to statutory allocations is essential for grassroots progress. He claimed that the practice of diverting funds is a systemic issue affecting both the PDP and the APC, rather than a partisan one. He noted that during previous administrations, financial independence enabled local governments to deliver tangible development.
Regarding infrastructure and the economy, the candidate proposed moving away from heavy borrowing, opting instead for alternative financing models. He also emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships to improve electricity, noting that he has already donated over 600 transformers to various communities. Adebutu argued that reliable power is a vital tool for economic empowerment.
State PDP Chairman Hon. Abayomi Tella supported these claims, stating that the local government system has failed under the current APC government due to a lack of funding. Meanwhile, Professor Iyabo Obasanjo, the PDP’s Ogun Central senatorial candidate, praised Adebutu as a leader with the necessary vision to transform the state.
The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, formally endorsed Adebutu. The monarch recounted the philanthropic history of the candidate’s father, Sir Kensington Adebutu, and expressed faith in the younger Adebutu’s character, describing him as a trustworthy and reliable successor to that legacy.
