The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has accused governors across Nigeria of diverting local government allocations, promising to grant full financial autonomy to local councils if elected in the 2027 governorship election.
Adebutu made the pledge on Sunday during a meeting with the Egba Traditional Council at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta, where he sought the support and blessings of traditional rulers for his governorship ambition.
Accompanied by his running mate, Dr. Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, Ogun Central PDP senatorial candidate Iyabo Obasanjo, Ogun PDP Chairman Abayomi Tella and other party leaders, Adebutu said local government autonomy would be a major priority 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.
“We must make sure we get local government autonomy. I have been at the National Assembly twice, and I can proudly say I never embezzled public funds. How many politicians can say the same?”
He alleged that the diversion of local government allocations cuts across party lines.
“It’s not a party thing. Both APC and PDP, all the governors are embezzling local government allocations. It’s not a secret,” Adebutu claimed.
According to him, local councils performed better when they had direct access to their allocations.
“When the PDP was in power and local governments were receiving their funds directly, there was visible development, and traditional rulers were actively involved in governance,” he said.
Reflecting on his public service and family legacy, Adebutu said he had continued the philanthropic work of his father and grandfather but realised meaningful societal development requires executive authority.
On infrastructure, he argued that governments should adopt alternative financing models instead of relying heavily on loans. He also pledged to improve road connectivity between Ogun and Lagos states.
Adebutu further promised to prioritise electricity through public-private partnerships, saying improved power supply would stimulate economic growth and create jobs.
“For electricity, we will relentlessly pursue partnerships with the private sector. Once we generate adequate power, people’s incomes will increase while energy costs will reduce,” he said.
He also claimed to have donated more than 600 transformers to communities across Ogun State, insisting he had provided more transformers than the state government.
“Any day we install a transformer in a community, it ceases to be mine and becomes the property of the electricity distribution company. Yet I have continued because electricity is a direct empowerment for everyone,” he said.
Presenting himself to the traditional rulers, Adebutu declared: “I offer myself for service.”
In his remarks, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, described Adebutu as “trustworthy and reliable” and endorsed his governorship ambition.
The monarch recalled his long-standing relationship with Adebutu’s father, Sir Kensington Adebutu, expressing confidence in the PDP candidate’s leadership qualities.
“I am pleased to present Oladipupo Adebutu to all of you as a man who is trustworthy and reliable. May God continue to be with you and guide you,” the monarch said.
