…vows people-centric governance, prosperity, anti-corruption drive
By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 elections in Ogun State, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, has unveiled a seven-point development agenda, tagged “ITURA DE,” promising to restore local government autonomy, improve workers’ welfare, revive the state’s economy and strengthen social services if elected.
Adebutu unveiled the agenda on Wednesday while formally flagging off his campaign at the Ake palace ground, Ake, Abeokuta, describing it as a roadmap for the socio-economic transformation of the state.
Addressing party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders, the PDP candidate said his emergence as the party’s standard-bearer was both a honour and a responsibility, pledging to make the welfare of Ogun residents the centrepiece of his administration.
He said: “I stand before you today, humbled by the weight of destiny and profoundly grateful to the Peoples Democratic Party for entrusting me with the responsibility of being the gubernatorial flag bearer of our great party.
“The PDP remains the undisputed fortress of the masses, fiercely and uncompromisingly dedicated to the people.
“Delivering true, tangible dividends of democracy is not merely our political mission; it is our unbreakable covenant with the people of Ogun State.”
Adebutu accused successive administrations in the state since 2011 of presiding over what he described as 15 years of economic hardship, neglect and poor governance.
He contrasted the period with the 2003–2011 administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel, which he said witnessed greater local government autonomy, grassroots development and improved workers’ welfare.
According to him, “we must summon the memory of our golden epoch, the prosperous years of 2003 to 2011, when our local governments breathed with absolute vitality and functional autonomy.
“In that era, our local economy roared to life because our PDP government believed in you, enforcing policies that ensured wealth creation, particularly at the grassroots.”
The PDP candidate also pledged to address outstanding pensions and gratuities owed to retired workers and review the state’s Contributory Pension Scheme.
“The dehumanisation of our civil servants and pensioners stops from the first day you put us in office with your votes,” he declared.
Adebutu alleged that some workers who retired from July 2, 2025, were yet to receive their pensions and gratuities, promising that his administration would prioritise the settlement of all verified outstanding obligations.
Unveiling the ITURA DE agenda, Adebutu said it was built around seven priority areas, that include improved security, law and order; genuine local government financial autonomy and workers’ welfare; urban and regional development, physical planning and transportation; rural and border communities development; agricultural, economic and industrial development; development of women, youth and sports; and enhancement of education, healthcare and other social services.
He said the seven pillars would complement five broader programmes focusing on strategic infrastructure, entrepreneurship and workforce development, economic resilience, functional communities, and transparency and accountability in governance.
Adebutu promised to strengthen security across farms, highways and communities while protecting citizens’ freedom to support political parties of their choice without intimidation or discrimination.
“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,” he said.
“Your livelihood shall not be impacted by your political disposition.”
On local government administration, Adebutu pledged to restore what he described as genuine financial and administrative autonomy to the councils.
According to him, greater control of resources by local governments would create “additional 20 nodes of development” across the state.
He cited the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel as an example of what he described as effective local government autonomy.
The PDP candidate also promised to deploy Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to finance major infrastructure projects, arguing that the arrangement would reduce pressure on government finances and free up resources for education, healthcare and other social services.
Adebutu said his administration would place agriculture and vocational training at the centre of its youth empowerment and economic development strategy.
He promised zero-interest loans for farmers and support for interventions through institutions such as the Bank of Industry, alongside the provision of rural infrastructure to improve agricultural productivity.
He also pledged to review what he described as “predatory structures of double taxation” affecting traders, market women and men, as well as small and medium-sized businesses.
“We shall restructure government, stifling the creation of businesses with debilitating taxes that make investment difficult, with emphasis on ease of doing business,” he said.
Adebutu also sought to reinforce his connection with the state, saying his business interests, investments and personal history had been rooted in Ogun for more than three decades.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
He pledged that, if elected, his administration would return the PDP to what he described as “glorious, people-centric governance” and pursue policies aimed at creating prosperity while combating corruption.
On the 2027 contest, Adebutu urged Ogun voters to support the PDP and its development agenda.
“On my honour, I, Hon. Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu, solemnly swear to resurrect the glorious, people-centric governance of the Peoples Democratic Party. We will take back our state, help create prosperity and be devoid of the corruption stifling our progress.
“Your vote for PDP is a vote for ITURA DE. The hour of our liberation has finally come!”
On her part, the deputy governorship candidate, ‘Yemi Showunmi-Kolapo assured the people of Ogun of quality leadership, stating that the people of the state would bid poverty and maladministration goodbye once the PDP takes over reigns of government under the administration of Hon. Adebutu.
Showunmi-Kolapo argued that it was Ladi Adebutu’s turn to govern the state. “I want to assure you all that in Ogun State, there is freedom, relief is here. (ITURA DE). The last time we flagged off the National Assembly campaign, it rain and we moved in the rain.
“Today as well, we are flagging off our governorship campaign, it rained and we moved in it. Don’t let them deceive you, we will gather like this during the inauguration of Hon. Ladi Adebutu as governor. Egba people, stand by your own.
The Ogun PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, in his remarks, called on the electorate to vote Adebutu, saying their overwhelming show of support would be reciprocated with provision of basic social amenities and good governance in general.
Also, residents and supporters pledged their unflinching loyalty to the PDP and assured them of their votes during the 2027 general elections.
“We will vote and stand by our votes for PDP,” many of them said.
They described the weather as “a rain of blessings”, saying it already ushered good tidings to the state.
An indigene, who simply identified himself as Bode, said: “Even if it rains fire, we will stand with the PDP, Adebutu and Iya Sunnah. Our votes must count this time around and we will rejoice in the end.”
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