The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has placed local government autonomy at the centre of his campaign, promising to allow councils direct access to their allocations if elected in 2027. Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting with the Egba Traditional Council at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta, Adebutu said strengthening local governments would improve grassroots development and public service delivery.
Addressing traditional rulers alongside his running mate, Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, the party’s Ogun Central senatorial candidate, Iyabo Obasanjo, the Ogun State PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, and other party leaders, Adebutu argued that local councils should manage their own finances without interference. He maintained that granting full financial autonomy would become a defining policy of his administration.
As part of his proposal, the PDP candidate alleged that governors across political parties currently benefit from local government allocations, claiming the practice has weakened development at the grassroots. According to him, empowering councils financially would enable them to execute projects that directly address the needs of local communities.
Adebutu also used the occasion to highlight his public service record, saying he served twice in the National Assembly without misappropriating public funds. He further advocated alternative approaches to financing infrastructure, arguing that governments should reduce dependence on borrowing while pursuing projects that improve connectivity between Ogun State and neighbouring Lagos.
Supporting the proposal, Ogun State PDP Chairman Abayomi Tella said local government administration had declined because councils no longer exercised meaningful control over their finances. Drawing from his experience as a former council chairman, he recalled using monthly allocations to execute road projects and argued that financial independence would restore development at the local level.
Other party leaders also appealed for support ahead of the 2027 elections. Sowunmi-Kolapo urged the people of Egbaland to back the PDP ticket, while Iyabo Obasanjo said she joined the party after concluding that Adebutu possessed the leadership qualities needed to implement policies aimed at improving governance and development in the state.
Responding on behalf of the Egba Traditional Council, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, expressed confidence in Adebutu’s character and leadership. The monarch described him as trustworthy and encouraged him in his governorship ambition, while the meeting underscored the growing focus on local government reforms as political parties outline their agendas ahead of the 2027 elections.
The discussion reflects the increasing prominence of local government autonomy in Nigeria’s governance debate, with advocates arguing that direct access to statutory allocations could strengthen service delivery and accountability at the grassroots. However, Adebutu’s allegations that governors divert council funds remain his claims and have not been independently verified in the context of the meeting.
