Adebutu begins 2027 Ogun gov campaign, pledges LG autonomy

The 2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has unveiled an economic and social development agenda tagged “ITURA DE”, promising to restore local government autonomy, improve workers’ welfare and revive the state’s economy if elected.

Adebutu made the declaration on Wednesday at the Ake Palace, Abeokuta, during the flag-off of the PDP campaign for the 2027 governorship election in the state.

The former federal lawmaker, while presenting his campaign address titled “A Call to Liberation”, said the programme was designed to tackle poverty, unemployment, insecurity and what he described as poor governance in the state.

Adebutu said the PDP remained “the undisputed fortress of the masses”, adding that the party’s objective was to deliver tangible dividends of democracy to the people.

He said, “Delivering true, tangible dividends of democracy is not merely our political mission; it is our unbreakable covenant with the people of Ogun State.”

The candidate said the PDP administration between 2003 and 2011 promoted grassroots development through functional local governments, payment of workers’ salaries, pensions and gratuities, as well as remittance of cooperative contributions.

He, however, described the period since 2011 as “15 unbroken years” of hardship and alleged neglect, blaming what he termed maladministration and corruption for the situation.

Adebutu said his administration, if elected, would reverse the trend through the implementation of the ITURA DE agenda, which he described as the blueprint for his government.

He said his government would focus on seven priority areas, including improved security, law and order; true local government financial autonomy and workers’ welfare; urban and regional development, physical planning and transportation; and rural and border communities development.

Others, he said, were agricultural, economic and industrial development; development of women, youth and sports; and enhancement of education, healthcare and other social services.

He said the agenda would be anchored on five broad programmes involving strategic infrastructure development, entrepreneurship, economic resilience, functional communities, and accountability and transparency in governance.

Adebutu promised to tackle insecurity by securing farms, highways and communities, while guaranteeing freedom of political association.

“In the seven-plus years of this administration, it is on record that the debt acquired has surpassed the total debt of the state prior to the advent of the administration.

“With ITURA DE programmes, the seven cardinal pillars are designed to systematically eradicate entrenched poverty and restore power to the good people of Ogun State.

“We shall dismantle the architecture of fear, aggressively securing every farm, highway and neighbourhood from lawlessness and also guarantee total freedom of choice of political leaning as a dividend of true democracy.

“We assure you, your livelihood shall not be impacted by your political disposition. We truly believe prosperity thrives when institutions are protected, and citizens can go about their businesses without fear or favour.

“We shall also liberate our Local Government Councils from financial bondage, returning sovereign administrative power and resources directly to your communities. True financial autonomy for our Local Governments will create an additional 20 nodes of development. This is not rocket science, as the Otunba Gbenga Daniel-led administration was able to practise this effectively.

“Uppermost in our hearts shall be workers’ welfare. The dehumanisation of our civil servants and pensioners stops from the first day you put us in office with your votes.

“We are aware that our heroes who have served this state meritoriously and retired from July 2, 2025, have been denied their pensions and gratuities; we shall mandate the immediate, unconditional payment of all withheld gratuities and an overhaul of the oppressive Contributory Pension Scheme.

“It then comes to mind: a worker facing retirement without pension cannot and should not be expected to be efficient or corruption-free, knowing fully well he or she is about to go home with zero revenue after active service to the state.

“We shall harness public-private administration.

“There shall be particular emphasis on agricultural and vocational training, forging our youth into an unstoppable force of wealthy entrepreneurs.

“Farmers will also enjoy opportunities that will make farming interesting and profitable for them, like zero-interest loans, as well as interventions from the Bank of Industry at single-digit interest rates. Infrastructure for rural development will also enhance agriculture and wealth creation.

“We shall review the predatory structures of double taxation currently choking our market men and women and small business owners in particular. We shall restructure government and end the stifling of business creation with debilitating taxes that make investment difficult, with emphasis on ease of doing business.

“My solemn oath to Ogun State:

“Ogun State is the hallowed land of historical titans. We shall never again surrender our sacred heritage to political mercenaries or transient tourists who are totally blind to our tears.

“For over 31 unbroken years, my roots, my wealth, my enterprises and my sweat have been irreversibly planted in the soil of Ogun State. I have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with you, creating jobs and fighting for our collective progress. My stake in our shared destiny is total, permanent and absolute.”