All governors divert LG funds, says Adebutu, vows full council autonomy if elected

Ogun State's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, accused governors nationwide of misappropriating local government allocations, vowing to grant full financial autonomy to local councils if elected. Speaking at a meeting with the Egba Traditional Council at Ake Palace in Abeokuta, Adebutu sought the endorsement of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, and other traditional leaders for his bid for governor in 2027. His remarks came amid a broader campaign to address systemic issues in governance and development. Accompanied by key allies including his running mate, Dr. Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, and prominent party figures such as Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo and Hon. Abayomi Tella, Adebutu emphasized that local government autonomy would be central to his proposed governance model. He asserted that local councils must have direct access to their statutory funding, claiming that such autonomy would enable them to drive meaningful development. “I will do something that will stun this nation and put us in the right direction. Local governments shall get their own money,” he told the assembly. Adebutu reiterated his longstanding commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that he has served in the National Assembly twice without being implicated in corruption. “How many politicians can say this?” he asked, underscoring his credibility on fiscal integrity. He further criticized the widespread misuse of local government funds, stating that both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition PDP governors engage in similar practices. “It’s not a party thing. All the governors are embezzling local government allocations. It’s not a secret,” he said. He argued that local governments achieve better outcomes when granted financial independence, citing past successes under the PDP when councils received adequate resources. “When the PDP was in power and local governments were getting their funds, there were developments, and they carried monarchs along in the scheme of things,” he recalled. This sentiment reflects a broader narrative linking traditional leadership with developmental progress. In reflecting on his career and family legacy, Adebutu acknowledged the importance of sustained development efforts. “Without executive powers, there’s a limit to what an individual can do to develop society,” he noted. His advocacy extends beyond policy promises to tangible projects, particularly in infrastructure and energy sectors. Adebutu proposed shifting away from reliance on debt for infrastructure development, advocating instead for alternative financing models. He promised to build roads connecting Ogun to Lagos, enhancing regional connectivity. On electricity, he outlined plans to leverage public-private partnerships, asserting that reliable power supply would stimulate productivity, cut business costs, and generate jobs. “For electricity, private sector participation with the government, we will pursue it relentlessly,” he said. His claims include personal contributions to the power sector, stating that he has installed more electricity transformers in communities than the state government itself. According to Adebutu, over 600 transformers have been distributed across Ogun. “Any day we install a transformer in any community, it ceases to be mine. It becomes the property of the electricity distribution company,” he explained. The initiative, he said, is driven by the belief that electricity directly empowers individuals economically. Adebutu’s statements underscore a growing push for decentralized governance and increased accountability in Nigerian politics, positioning himself as a candidate who seeks to bridge the gap between traditional institutions and modern administrative frameworks. As the 2027 gubernatorial election approaches, his proposals reflect both a critique of current governance structures and a vision for transformative change.