The Peoples Democratic Party’s gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has alleged that governors across Nigeria are diverting local government allocations, pledging to grant full financial autonomy to councils if elected in 2027.
Adebutu made the remarks on Sunday during a meeting with the Egba Traditional Council at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta, where he sought the blessings and support of traditional rulers for his governorship ambition.
He was accompanied by his running mate, Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo; the PDP candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District, Iyabo Obasanjo; the Ogun State PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella; and other party leaders.
LG Autonomy
Speaking before the monarchs, Adebutu said ensuring financial independence for local governments would be one of the defining policies of his administration.
“I will do something that will stun this nation and put us in the right direction. Local governments shall get their own money,” he said.
The PDP governorship candidate stressed the need for genuine local government autonomy, saying he had maintained a clean record while serving in the National Assembly.
“We must make sure we get local government autonomy. I have been reiterating to you that I, Oladipupo Olatunde, son of Adebutu, was at the National Assembly twice, and I can boast that I didn’t embezzle public funds. How many politicians can say this?”
He further alleged that governors, irrespective of political affiliation, were misappropriating local government funds
“It’s not a party thing. Both APC and PDP, all the governors are embezzling local government allocations. It’s not a secret,” he said.
Adebutu argued that local governments would be better positioned to deliver development if they had direct access to their statutory allocations.
On infrastructure development, he said governments must move away from dependence on borrowing.
“You don’t borrow money for infrastructure anymore,” he said, while promising to construct roads that would strengthen connectivity between Ogun State and Lagos.
Abayomi Tella Speaks
Also addressing the gathering, Ogun State PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, lamented what he described as the collapse of the local government system in the state, attributing it to the lack of financial autonomy.
Tella recalled that during his tenure as a local government chairman, he received an allocation of N200 million, which he said was used to construct four roads within the council area.
He expressed concern that many current council chairmen could not point to projects of similar impact because they lacked financial independence.
The party chairman said he believed strongly in Adebutu’s commitment to local government autonomy, describing the governorship candidate as prepared to lead the state’s development.
The PDP deputy governorship candidate, Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, appealed to the people of Egbaland to support her aspiration, saying she had remained committed to the development of the area.
Similarly, the PDP candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District, Iyabo Obasanjo, said she found in Adebutu the vision and political will to actualise the aspirations she had for the people after leaving the All Progressives Congress following her unsuccessful governorship bid.
She maintained that the PDP had the strongest political team in Egbaland and urged the traditional rulers to support the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
In his remarks, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, described Adebutu as a trustworthy and dependable leader, expressing confidence in his character and leadership.
“The son of a lion must resemble the lion. In fact, he is an even better version of his father,” the monarch said.
Credit: punchng.com
